OFFICIAL RULEBOOK JUDGES GUIDELINES THE RAT WRANGLER IN BARN HUNT

Transcription

1 OFFICIAL RULEBOOK JUDGES GUIDELINES THE RAT WRANGLER IN BARN HUNT Published: April 1, 2016 Implementation Date: May 2, 2016 B Class Rules (shown in this document in lavendar strikethrough) to be implemented at a later date.

2 Revision November 22, 2016 Barn Hunt Rules Addenda November 22, 2016, March 21, 2017, June 5, 2017 CRAZY 8S 1. Class implementation. Up to two Crazy 8s stand-alone Trials may be held on the day preceding and/or the day after an any trial date offering all Regular Classes. These stand-alone Crazy 8s trials may be in any combination with stand-alone Master-Only Trials (e.g., two Master-Only Trials and two Crazy 8s trials; one of each; two of one and one of the other). All stand-alone Trials have a separate Trial application fee. When a club is limiting the entry numbers for a Crazy 8s class, the limit number must be published in the Premium. A wait list may be maintained just for Crazy 8s class if the club wishes. 2. Incorrect call of the first litter tube Part 13: Section 1. Judging and Faults, 2 (p 36). Revised/clarified rule: If a handler calls an incorrect (litter) tube, the first incidence is a Fault with a penalty of -20 points, but the handler may continue on with a chance to acquire more points by finding more rats. The Judge must call FAULT. The litter tube must stay in place and is not removed from the course. If a handler calls a second litter tube (or the first tube a second time), the handler is NQd and must leave the ring. The dog should briefly be shown a rat prior to exiting the ring and the handler allowed to praise the dog as allowed in regular Barn Hunt rules. After calling rat on an incorrect litter tube, the handler may proceed as outlined in Part 8: Section 6. 5 (p 26). If the falsely-called litter tube is lifted from the straw prior to the judge s verbal call of FAULT, the tube is to be removed from the ring. If the tube has not yet been lifted from the straw when the judge calls FAULT, the tube must remain in place. 3. Lack of Control call. Revised/clarified rule Part 11: Section 4. 3 b) (p 30): For Open and above and Crazy 8s, any Lack of Control error is an NQ. Revision March 21, Stalling Call. In Crazy 8s, the first Stalling call is -20 points. A second Stalling call is an NQ. 5. Placement of tubes. In Crazy 8s, tubes must be placed a minimum of 6" apart. GENERAL COURSE RULES 1. Handler getting on hands/knees Part 8: Section (p 25). Revised/clarified rule: Handlers cannot deliberately get on hands and/or knees or lay on the ground in the ring, or. Handlers cannot pat the ground or try to peer directly into the tube to check for a rat prior to calling a find. RAMP LENGTHS Note: When the overall ramp length was decreased to 3 feetfor the 2016 rules, the intention was to prevent tripping hazards. However, the resultant ramps have proven to be too steep for use with larger bales. Thus the following rule change. 1. Ramp length Part 4: Section 8 Materials 2 (p 11). Revised/clarified rule: Ramps are sturdy supports from 18" to 24" wide and 3' to 4' long.

3 Revision June 5, 2017 APPRENTICE AND PROVISIONAL JUDGE DOGS Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 2: Becoming a Judge. Section b) (p 39) and Section (p 40). This revision provides allowance for Apprentice and Provisional judges to have their dogs compete at an event where they are acting as an Apprentice/B Level Provisional judge if all of the following criteria are met: A substitute handler must be listed on the dog(s) entry form. The listed substitute handler is responsible for all aspects of the dog s care, including exercising, pre and post run management, and competing with the dog in the ring. The Apprentice/B Level Provisional judge cannot leave their assigned ring to attend to any dog except in the case of an emergency. The total number of dogs allowed to be shown by a substitute handler is two. Dogs owned by a B Level Provisional judge must be judged by a Back Up Judge and if none is available, are not eligible for competition. All regular Back Up Judge rules apply.

4 BARN HUNT ASSOCIATION RULES & REGULATIONS.4 Part 1: Overview...4 Section 1. History...4 Section 2. Purpose...4 Section 3. Code of Good Sportsmanship...4 Part 2: Definitions...4 Part 3: Becoming a Club...7 Section 1. The Steps...7 Section 2. Club Mentors...7 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event...8 Section 1. Barn Hunt Name, Logo, and Intellectual Property..8 Section 2. Distance Between Events Section 3. Club Move-up and Lateral Move Policy...8 Section 4. Class Order...8 Section 5. Judge Limits and Scheduling...8 JUDGE LIMITS AND SCHEDULING CHART...9 Section 6. Grounds, Blinds, and Course Enclosures...9 Section 7. Required Inventory and Specifications to be Provided to All Judges Section 8. Course Specifications, Materials and Equipment...11 COURSE SPECIFICATIONS BY CLASS/LEVEL INSTINCT CRADLE SPACING Section 9. Event Officials...12 Section 10. Premium List...13 Section 11. Late and Day of Show (DOS) Entries...14 Section 12. Wait Lists...14 Section 13. Random Draws...15 Section 14. Invalid and Conditional Entries...15 Section 15. Withdrawals and Refunds...15 Section 16. Assumption of Risk...16 Section 17. Cancellation of Events...16 Section 18. Judge Cancellations...16 Part 5: General Rules Section 1. Dogs Eligible to Compete...16 Section 2. Handler Age and Accommodations...17 Section 3. Smoking/Vaping...17 Section 4. Dogs Ineligible to Compete...17 Section 5. Dog Aggression...17 Section 6. Misconduct/Lack of Sportsmanship...18 Section 7. Double Handling...19 Section 8. Loud/Disruptive dogs...19 Section 9. Judge Decisions...19 Section 10. Collars and Leashes Section 11. Training on Trial Grounds Section 12. Height Divisions Section 13. Measuring Dogs Part 6: Rat Care and Safety Section 1. General Considerations Section 2. Tubes and Safe Rat Enclosures...21 Section 3. Duration and Type of Work...21 Part 7: General Specifications for All Class Levels Section 1. Course Construction...21 Section 2. The Start Box Section 3. Official and Incidental Tunnels Section 4. Ramps Section 5. Bridges Section 6. Rat Tube Locations Part 8: Performance Guidelines for All Levels...23 Section 1. Blinded Staging Area...23 Section 2. Entering the Ring and Releasing the Dog Section 3. General Course Rules Section 4. Tunneling...25 Section 5. Climbing...25 Section 6. Marking the Find of the Rat Section 7. Exiting the Ring Section 8. Special Considerations Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward...27 Section 1. When Praise and Reward is Allowed...27 Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s)...27 Section 1. Removal Method 1: Handler Redirects Dog or Dog Self-Redirects Section 2. Removal Method 2: Handler Removes the Tube Section 3. Removal Method 3: Handler Restrains, the Rat Wrangler Removes the Tube.. 28 Section 4. Releasing the Dog after Restraint Part 11: Scoring Guidelines...29 Section 1. Qualifying (Q) Scores Section 2. Ties Section 3. Non-Qualifying (NQ) Scores Section 4. Penalties Section 5. Disqualifications Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles...30 Section 1. Moving Up, Lateral Moves, Moving Down CLASS TYPE AND ELIGIBILITY FOR ENTRY FLOW CHART, REGULAR CLASSES Section 2. Barn Hunt Instinct (RATI)...31 Section 3. Novice Barn Hunt: (RATN, RATNX)...31 Section 4. Open Barn Hunt: (RATO, RATOX)...32 Section 5. Senior Barn Hunt (RATS, RATSX)...33 Section 6. Master Barn Hunt (RATM, RATMX, RATCH, RATCHX)...34 Part 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles...35 Section 1. Crazy 8s Class...35 Section 2. National Championship Titles...37 TITLE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY TABLE Part 14: Ribbons and Placements...37 ii

5 BARN HUNT JUDGE GUIDELINES Part 1: Overview...39 Part 2: Becoming a Judge...39 Section 1. Step One: Application and Experience FUN TEST POINTS ACCRUAL REQUIREMENTS Section 2. Step Two: Written Test Section 3. Step Three: Review Section 4. Step Four: Provisional Assignments Section 5. Final Step: Moving to A Level Judge Status Section 6. Judge Mentors...41 Section 7. Current and Previously Approved B Level Judges..41 Part 3: Maintaining Judge Status...41 JUDGE APPLICATION, APPROVAL, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FLOW CHART Part 4: General Information...42 Section 1. Contracts Section 2. Dress Code Section 3. Mobility Section 4. Timeliness Section 5. Conflict of Interest...43 Section 6. Smoking, Eating and Drinking...43 Section 7. Dog Aggression and Breed Discrimination...43 Section 8. Judging Limits...43 Section 9. Communication Section 10. Judging Fees...43 Section 11. Splitting Assignments, Load Balancing, Relief Judging 43 Part 5: Back Up Judges...44 Section 1. General Information Section 2. When the Back Up Judge is Used Part 6: Course Design...45 Section 1. General Information...45 Section 2. Map and Course Design Basics...45 SAMPLE ILLUSTRATION FOR SUGGESTED BASE LAYER DETAILS 46 Section 3. Ramp Placement: Wooden/Constructed Ramps Section 4. Boards Section 5. Bridges Section 6. Sheer Faces and Step Up/Downs...47 SAFE AND UNSAFE STEPS SAFE AND UNSAFE STEPS (CONTINUED) Section 7. Other Safety Considerations Section 8. Tunnels MINIMUM INSIDE TURN TUNNEL ENTRANCE SHOWING EXPOSED BOARD NOVICE TUNNEL CONFIGURATION OPEN TUNNEL MINIMUM AND UNALLOWED TURNS TUNNELS WITH JOGS CONFIGURATIONS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY OFFICIAL TUNNEL.51 Part 7: Prior to Judging...52 Section 1. Using Course Maps...52 Section 2. Master Rat Numbers...52 Section 3. General and Class Briefings...52 Section 4. Measuring Dogs...53 Part 8: Judging and Scoring...53 Section 1. Efficiently Placing and Switching Tubes...53 SAMPLE MASTER RING LAYOUT WITH ALL ELEMENTS PLACED.53 Section 2. Inadvertent Lead Outs...54 Section 3. False Starts...54 Section 4. Timing...54 Section 5. Calls to the Scribe...54 Section 6. Coaching/Prompting...54 Section 7. Accidental Hinting...55 Section 8. When to Dismiss from the Ring...55 Section 9. Confirming Scores...55 Part 9: Re-Judging...55 Section 1. Re-judging, General...55 Section 2. Re-judging, Fallen Bales and Split Tunnels...55 Section 3. Re-judging, Timer Failures THE RAT WRANGLER IN BARN HUNT Part 1: Overview...57 Section 1. Caring for Rats...57 Section 2. Inside Rat Wranglers...57 Section 3. Outside Rat Wranglers Section 4. Rat Wrangling in Master APPENDICES Appendix A: RATI Course Construction...59 Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction...60 Appendix C: Lattice Fencing Photos...62 iii

6 Barn Hunt Association Rules and Regulations QQPart 1: Overview Part 1: Overview SECTION 1. History Barn Hunt is based on the hunting and teamwork skills historically used by Ratcatchers and their dogs who traveled the countryside ridding farms of vermin, thus helping to conserve and preserve food grains and protect inhabitants from disease. Ratcatchers used a variety of terriers and go-to-ground breeds (small dogs bred to go under the earth after prey), but also non go-to-ground breeds such as Manchester Terriers, Schnauzers, Pinschers, farm and collie breeds, and a variety of other breeds and mixes. These working dogs and breeds have never had an officially licensed test which truly simulates their traditional task. The sport of Barn Hunt fills that role. SECTION 2. Purpose The purpose of Barn Hunt is to demonstrate a dog s vermin hunting ability in finding and marking rats in a barn-like setting, using straw/hay bales to introduce climbing and tunneling obstacles in the dog s path. The sport tests speed, agility, hunt drive, scenting ability, surefootedness, and control and responsiveness to handler direction. While Barn Hunt has roots and origins as a way to test working drives in dogs bred to hunt vermin, Barn Hunt is for any domestic dog and handler who wish to play the game, including large dogs, pet dogs, altered dogs, and dogs of breeds or mixes of breeds with or without a vermin-hunting history. Barn Hunt is a sporting event, and as such there are levels of difficulty, placements, titles, and championships. The sport tests the dog s ability to hunt and the handler s ability to read the dog s communication as they work as a team. SECTION 3. Code of Good Sportsmanship All participants and spectators attending Barn Hunt Events are required to operate as good sportsmen and sportswomen. Good sportsmanship includes honesty, courtesy, respect, and graciousness in both victory and defeat. No harsh, punitive or corrective training is allowed on Trial grounds. Any handler who displays poor sportsmanship and/or who verbally or physically abuses his or her dog either in or out of the ring can face discipline ranging from a verbal warning, dismissal from class, dismissal from show grounds and up to expulsion from future Events, depending on the severity of the infraction. Handlers and spectators must show good sportsmanship toward the Judge, show committee, stewards and competitors. The BHA empowers the Trial Chair and Committee to make disciplinary decisions on behalf of the BHA, and all decisions made at a Trial are considered official BHA rulings. Parties may appeal permanent bans to the BHA who will make a final decision on whether or not the person(s) involved will be able to return to any Barn Hunt Event. Barn Hunt is a family-friendly sport. Actions which, for example, would cause a family with young children to conclude the sport is inappropriate will result in disciplinary action. QQPart 2: Definitions 1. Club. A Club is any organization or group of individuals who wish to hold any Event using BHA rules. A Club can be a commercial entity (such as a for-profit dog training facility), a group/club that is licensed by another organization, or a group of individuals. For the purposes of this document, the word Club will be used to denote any/all of the allowed combinations above (see Part 3: Becoming a Club on page 7). a) All entities using the Barn Hunt name and rules for public Events must be BHA Clubs in good standing. 2. Clinic. Training Events/Clinics/Workshops/seminars/rat-n-gos which use Barn Hunt rules as a teaching/training guide are not considered officially licensed BHA Events. The BHA takes no responsibility for any incident at any unofficial training Clinic/Workshop/seminar. For the purposes of this document and all official listings, all of these non-licensed Events held by BHA Clubs are categorized as Clinics. a) Clinics may be applied for and listed on the Barn Hunt calendar at no charge. b) Any Club wishing to hold a Clinic in conjunction with an AKC, UKC, or other dog organization show or Event must apply to the BHA for approval a minimum of 30 days prior to the shared Event. Those Clinics must be listed on the event calendar and must carry insurance including a hold harmless agreement naming the Barn Hunt Association LLC. Barn Hunt Association LLC must also be named as Additional Insured and Indemnified (503 E Nifong #346, Columbia, MO ). A copy of the insurance must be uploaded to the Barn Hunt 4

7 Part 2: Definitions Register through Secretary Functions/Event Uploads (see Trial Packet and Register Guide on the website and in Secretary Functions) at least 15 days prior to the Clinic. c) A Clinic cannot be held prior to any Licensed Trial being held on the same date/location, nor during Trial hours, nor less than 30 minutes after the completion of the last Trial of any Trial date. 3. Fun Test. A Fun Test is an official, licensed, practice Event for Barn Hunt. Fun Tests are a way to introduce new competitors to the sport and a way for new Clubs to work to become licensed to hold official Barn Hunt Trials. a) Only official Fun Tests may be advertised as Fun Tests. Clinics, Workshops, training sessions, rat-n-gos or other unofficial Events cannot be called Fun Tests. b) Fun Tests must be applied for through the Barn Hunt Association ( A single $30 fee covers up to two consecutive days of Fun Tests. There are no per-run fees payable to Barn Hunt assessed for Fun Tests. c) Fun Tests must carry event insurance including a hold harmless agreement naming the Barn Hunt Association LLC. Barn Hunt Association LLC must also be named as Additional Insured and Indemnified (503 E Nifong #346, Columbia, MO ). A copy of the insurance must be uploaded to the Barn Hunt Register through Secretary Functions/Event Uploads (see Trial Packet and Register Guide) at least 15 days prior to the Fun Test. d) Fun Tests must be run like a Licensed Barn Hunt Trial in all ways, with the following exceptions: e) An official Barn Hunt Judge is suggested but may or may not be required, depending on the experience level of the Club. f) Competitors may enter any level they wish at a Fun Test, and may enter more than one level and/or multiple times at the same level if allowed by the Club (i.e., Clubs may allow competitors to enter Novice multiple times with the same dog and/or may allow the competitor to enter the same dog in Novice, Open, Senior, and Master). g) Clubs may choose to allow training in the ring, and if allowing training, whether or not treats will be allowed in the ring. All regular ring and rat safety and handling rules apply. Training must be completed within the time allowed for the class entered. As soon as the Judge confirms training is occurring, the Judge calls TRAINING to the Scribe, who marks an X on the Scribe sheet. The Judge monitors but does not aid or assist any training activities other than pointing out a rat location on request. Dogs being trained in the ring do not qualify for any offered class awards. If training: Dogs may remain on a collar/harness and leash if no tunneling effort is to be attempted, and/or the handler may openly carry a collar/leash. All dogs wearing a collar/harness must also be restrained by a leash to prevent an attempt at a tunnel. A collar/leash may never be used punitively in the ring or to pull a dog through a tunnel or up onto a bale. A collar/leash may be used to steady a dog and prevent the rat tube from being roughed. No dangling tags or other dangling items are allowed. Handlers may carry and use toys in the ring. All treats, if allowed, must be kept in a pocket or waist pack and cannot be placed on a tube or a bale, but must be directly fed to the dog. Any dropped treats must be completely removed by the competitor. h) Handlers may train in the ring in other ways, but no punitive/harsh training is allowed and no training which would harm the rat is allowed. Punitive/harsh training is grounds for dismissal from the Fun Test grounds. i) Placement ribbons are optional. When offered,placement ribbons are for exhibitors who have not been marked by the Judge as Training in the ring. Qualifying ribbons of any type are not allowed. (If ribbons are given, they must be in accordance with the ribbon criteria in this document.) j) All other rules pertaining to holding Licensed Trials also pertain to Fun Tests. This includes producing premiums, accepting entries, sending confirmations, all ring set ups and judging, run orders, staging, rat care and welfare, and producing Trial reports for the BHA LLC. Trial reports are due within 7 days of the last date of the Fun Test(s), uploaded using Secretary Functions, and are reviewed for accuracy. If the Event is the Club s first Fun Test, results are uploaded using Secretary Functions and also ed to info@barnhunt.com. k) Fun Tests may be held on the same day as a Clinic, but in separate areas or rings and/or at separate times. l) Fun Tests may be held in conjunction with a UKC, AKC, or other public event with permission of the Barn Hunt office. New Clubs who are using the Fun Test as part of their screening to be able to hold Licensed Trials cannot hold a Fun Test in conjunction with a UKC, AKC, or other public event. m) Fun Tests must be applied for at least 30 days in advance of the test date. n) A Fun Test and a Licensed Trial cannot be held in the same location on the same date. 5

8 Part 2: Definitions o) Existing Clubs who have already been approved to hold Licensed Trials may hold a Fun Test the day before or the day after an official Trial as well as any other time the Club wishes other than on the day of a Trial. p) Competitors do not earn qualifying scores toward any Barn Hunt title when participating a Fun Test. q) All Fun Tests are required to offer Instinct and Novice classes. New Clubs offering their first Fun Test must offer classes at all levels, but are not required to have entrants at all levels. Upper level classes (Open, Senior, and Master) may be offered but are not required at Fun Tests run by experienced Clubs except when the Fun Test is to be used as experience by a prospective judge. Fun Tests may offer non-titling Crazy 8s class but are not required to do so. Which classes will be offered must be designated on the Fun Test Application and in the Fun Test Premium. r) A Barn Hunt Registration Number is not required for a dog to be entered in a Fun Test. 4. Licensed Trial. A Licensed Barn Hunt Trial is a collection of classes at various levels of difficulty from Instinct through Master, and optionally, the Non-Regular Crazy 8s class, licensed by the BHA, where competitor/dog teams have an opportunity to earn qualifying scores/legs toward Barn Hunt titles. a) Trials must be applied for through the Barn Hunt Association ( A fee of $30 per Trial applies. A per-run fee of $1.75 applies. This $1.75 per-run fee is for all runs (a run is each time a dog is scheduled to step foot in the ring) entered in the Trial, including absences and excusals. If an entry fee is refunded in full to the competitor, the per-run fee does not apply. b) A Club may offer as many as two Trials per calendar day. c) Licensed Trials must carry event insurance including a hold harmless agreement naming the Barn Hunt Association LLC. Barn Hunt Association LLC must also be named as Additional Insured and Indemnified (503 E Nifong #346, Columbia, MO ). A copy of the insurance must be uploaded to the Barn Hunt Register through Secretary Functions/Event Uploads (see Trial Packet and Register Guide on the Barn Hunt website or in Secretary Functions) at least 15 days prior to the Licensed Trial. d) Trials must be applied for at least 60 days in advance of the Trial date. e) All Trial reports and per-run fees are due to the Barn Hunt office within 7 days of the last date of the Event and are uploaded using the Secretary Functions on the Barn Hunt Register. Failure to upload Trial results within 7 days will incur an initial late fee of $100, with an additional $50 per week for each week the results are late. Clubs who cannot upload results within 7 days due to an unexpected issue may apply for an extension by to info@barnhunt.com. f) Clubs may be allowed to limit classes offered at a Licensed Trial to Instinct, Novice and Open only (special permission from the BHA LLC required). Clubs offering any upper level classes (Senior, Master) must offer all upper level classes. For Events consisting of one or more Trials offering all levels of competition, One or two Master-Only Trials may be held the day prior and/or the day after the Event. These Master-Only Trials are in addition to the regular schedule of classes for Trials held during an Event and do not excuse the Club from holding a Master class at their regular Trial. Trials offering Day of Show entries must allow entries at all levels the Trial has listed in its Premium, even if no pre-entries were received for that level. g) Crazy 8s Non-Regular classes may be held in conjunction with a regular slate of classes, and/or added to a Master-Only day. For Events consisting of one or more Trials offering all levels of competition, One or two Crazy 8s only Trials may be held the day prior and/or the day after the Event. Crazy 8s classes may be limited by number (e.g., 20 entries per day or Trial, etc.). h) For regular classes (Instinct through Master) Clubs cannot limit numbers per class, but rather take entries based on an 8 hour judging day for classes offered (see Part 4: Section 5. Judge Limits and Scheduling, page 8). i) A Barn Hunt Registration Number is required for all dogs entering a Licensed Barn Hunt Trial and must be included on the entry form. An entry form submitted without a Barn Hunt Registration number or with an incorrect Barn Hunt number does not constitute a valid entry and all qualifying scores earned under the incorrect number will be removed (see Trial Handbook on the Barn Hunt website and in Secretary Functions). 5. Event. An Event is a collection of Trials or Fun Tests over a contiguous series of days. For an example, a two day weekend holding four Trials is a single Event. 6. Trial Grounds. The geographical area in which the Barn Hunt Event will be held, including any and all buildings, parking lots, rings, dog walking/exercise areas, and surroundings encompassed by the Event. a) If the Event is limited to a defined area within a larger venue (single barn/parking lot in a large fairgrounds) 6

9 Part 3: Becoming a Club or held in held on the same date(s) and in the same location (i.e., the same address/building/property) as any AKC, UKC, or other canine or non-canine organization show/trial/event, the definition of all areas and spaces which are Barn Hunt Grounds will be published in the premium list and posted at the venue. 7. Judge of Record. A licensed Barn Hunt Judge who is contracted by a Club as an official Judge for a Trial or Trials. The Judge of Record is listed in the Premium and is responsible for designing courses and judging entrants into the Trial. (See Judge Guidelines Part 2: Becoming a Judge, page 39 for criteria to become a Judge.) 8. Back Up Judge. A licensed Barn Hunt Judge who attends an Event and agrees to judge the dogs of a Judge of Record for the Trial. (See Judge Guidelines Part 5: Back Up Judges, page 44 for a full description of Back Up Judge duties and criteria.) A Back Up Judge: a) May enter and/or show any registered dog at an Event without restriction. b) Is not listed in the Premium. c) Does not design any courses for the Trial in which he/she serving as a Back Up Judge (see Judge Guidelines Part 5: Back Up Judges, page 44 for more information). 9. Provisional Judge. A licensed B Level Judge supervised by a Judge Mentor. (See Judge Guidelines Part 2: Section 4. Step Four: Provisional Assignments, page 40. for Provisional Judge information.) 10. Empty Tube. A tube constructed to the specifications in Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction, page 60 with no litter or rat; it should be clean but may be a tube previously used to house litter and/or a rat. 11. Litter Tube. A tube constructed to the specifications in Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction, page 60 with 1 cup of used rat litter in it. The litter must be the same type as that used in the live rat tubes. At least two rats must have been housed on the bedding to be used in the litter tube for a minimum of eight (8) hours immediately prior to the Event. Used litter from multiple rats may be collected up to one week prior to the Event and mixed in with used litter taken from an occupied cage immediately prior to the Event. The soil/scent level should be comparable. The litter must have rat scent. The litter must be loose in the tube, not enclosed in any type of packaging. Litter quantities should be checked occasionally through the day and more added as necessary to keep the amount at 1 cup. 12. Rat tube/live tube. A tube constructed to the specifications in Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction, page 60 with one rat and 1 cup of bedding/litter. The rat s bedding must be checked and replaced and/or replenished as necessary through the day to avoid the possibility of urine burns. QQPart 3: Becoming a Club SECTION 1. The Steps In order to become a Barn Hunt Club, groups of individuals complete the following steps. 1. Form an entity of at least three persons (see Club Definition in Part 2: Definitions, page 4). 2. Gather information on the Barn Hunt and other dog sport experience of the Club members. 3. Apply for Club Status by logging into the Register at barnhunt.com, and clicking Club Application. 4. After the Club is approved, prepare for the first Fun Test. a) All new Clubs must complete a minimum of one Fun Test prior to being allowed to hold a Trial. b) Some Clubs may be asked to complete more than one Fun Test. c) See Fun Test definition for specific class offerings and restrictions for Clubs holding their first Fun Tests. d) A Club Mentor/and or Judge Mentor (see Judge Mentor in Judge Guidelines) may be assigned to the new Club to assist with the Fun Test and/or the BHA may request that the new Club choose from a list of approved Mentors. 5. Download and read the Trial Handbook available on the Barn Hunt website/secretary Functions and familiarize yourself with the Register software by reviewing the Register Guide. 6. After completion of the first Fun Test, the BHA reviews results and consults with Club members and/or Mentors. Clubs may be asked to complete further Fun Tests or may be approved to hold Licensed Trials at that point. For the first Licensed Trial, the BHA may require a Judge Mentor and/or Club Mentor. SECTION 2. Club Mentors A Club Mentor is an experienced Barn Hunt Trial Secretary and/or Trial Chair who has been authorized by the BHA to assist Clubs with information and organization of their first Event(s). Club Mentors answer questions and generally sup- 7

10 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event port the Club as they work toward holding smooth, efficient, successful Events. 1. Club Mentors may or may not be sent to the Trial grounds; in some cases Club Mentors will offer /phone support, and in some will actually attend the Event. 2. Club Mentors may also be assigned to existing Clubs as needed. QQPart 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event SECTION 1. Barn Hunt Name, Logo, and Intellectual Property 1. The official Barn Hunt Association LLC logo may only be used with permission, for sanctioned Fun Tests or Licensed Trials, and on approved BHA LLC merchandise. The Barn Hunt logo is available at Hodges Ribbon and several other ribbon retailers. To request use of the logo info@barnhunt.com. 2. All Rules and Regulations, Guidelines, source and support materials (Trial Handbook, etc.), and website materials are Barn Hunt Association LLC and fully protected under National and International copyright and trademark law. The Barn Hunt Register software is Jeff Pautz and Associates. 3. Organizations/entities with no affiliation with the BHA cannot use the words Barn Hunt or Barn Hunt Association or any copyrighted materials as labeling or advertising of non-bha Events without the express permission of the BHA ( info@barnhunt.com). a) The words Barn Hunt may be freely used by any entity on commercial products such as shirts, mugs, posters, etc. SECTION 2. Distance Between Events No Barn Hunt Event (either a Licensed Trial or a Fun Test) can be held by two different Clubs on the same date within 200 miles using Google Maps driving route measurements, without the express mutual written permission of both Clubs. The Club whose application is received with completed payment first gets priority. Annual weekends are not reserved. SECTION 3. Club Move-up and Lateral Move Policy Clubs may choose to offer Lateral moves and/or move-ups for those teams who complete a title while at their Event. Wait listed competitors cannot be moved into a slot vacated by a move-up or lateral move. Move-ups/lateral moves can be from Trial to Trial, day to day, or no move-ups/lateral moves allowed. The move-up/lateral move policy must be published in the Premium. There are no move-ups/lateral moves needed for Crazy 8s or Instinct. Move downs are not allowed at an Event. (See Part12: Regular Classes on page 30 and Part 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles on page 35 for more information.) Section 4. Class Order 1. Instinct must be offered once per day but is not required to be offered twice at Events with two Trials per day. 2. Instinct can be run concurrently with another class but must be staggered with Novice such that exhibitors can run their dogs first in Instinct then Novice and run in each class without conflict (e.g. assuming small to large running order, Novice small doesn t start until Instinct small ends). 3. Clubs may schedule classes to best suit the Club s needs. If two Trials are being offered in one day and Trial to Trial move-ups are allowed, all move-up requests must be accommodated prior to the conclusion of the class level the team is eligible to move into. 4. If allowing lateral moves, Trial 2 of the same level s class can begin prior to the end of Trial 1 s same level class as long as all lateral moves are accommodated before the end of Trial 2 on the same level (i.e., Trial 2 Open cannot end prior to Trial 1 Open). 5. Clubs choosing to offer Crazy 8s may schedule that class at any time during the Trial day. SECTION 5. Judge Limits and Scheduling 1. The maximum number of runs per day per Judge is 120. Depending on class assignment, the number of runs assigned to each Judge may be much smaller. Judges are scheduled in such a way that each Judge s work effort is approximately 8 hours or less of judging and the entire day s Event finishes in approximately 9 hours or less (i.e., begins at 8 am, is completed by 5 pm). The following table shows the approximate maximum number of runs per 8

11 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event hour expected from each class level. Judges should not be scheduled for numbers in excess of these. JUDGE LIMITS AND SCHEDULING CHART Class Judging Time Per Run* Runs per hour Total in 8 hours judging Instinct 2: (120 max/judge) Novice 3: (120 max/judge) Open 3: Senior 5: Master 6: Crazy 8s 5: *Judging Time per Run includes Standard Course Time (SCT) plus time for re-hides and blind changes. See Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles, page 30 and Part 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles, page 35 for SCT for each class level. See Judge Guidelines Part 4: Section 11. Splitting Assignments, Load Balancing, Relief Judging, page 43 for information on using load balancing, splitting, and relief judging for ring efficiency. SECTION 6. Grounds, Blinds, and Course Enclosures 1. Grounds. Barn Hunt Trials and Fun Tests may be held in a modestly sized space, indoors or outdoors, at any suitable facility (a barn is not required). Trial grounds which are part of a place of public accommodation are required to be handicap accessible. Rings must be situated on a flat, or nearly flat, surface/ground. Rings must be securely enclosed, with the enclosure not larger than the maximum ring size for the class level being held. 2. Blinds and areas around blinds. A blinded area/enclosure must be available for each Barn Hunt ring to stage the next 5 competitors getting ready to show (or 3, 4, or 5 in Master). The blind must be constructed or located such that occupants of the blind cannot see the ring or, in Master, rats being exchanged/prepared for the ring. The blind may be in a different room/area, or may have tarps or other opaque material on three sides with an open side facing away from the ring (see below). a) In open areas where the blind area and ring are readily visible to each other, the blind must be located such that its nearest side is no less than 20 feet from the ring and no more than 40 feet from the ring. b) If a solid constructed wall of masonry, metal or other substance such as an indoor or exterior wall, (i.e., an interior or exterior full height solid wall not constructed of canvas or other temporary or sound carrying material) is used, the nearest side of the blind may be located 10 feet from the wall. c) The minimum size for the blind is 10' x 10' or 100 square feet. Seating to accommodate 5 handlers is to be placed in the blind. No more than 5 dogs are allowed in each 10' x 10'/100 sq ft blinded area. There must be at least one 10' x 10' blinded area per ring but blind areas can be combined if there is a central barrier (i.e., one 10' x 20' space with a central barrier can serve two rings). The barrier can consist of fencing, chairs back to back, etc. Individual dividers may be placed in a blind to separate handler/dog teams, but only if those dividers are provided for all dogs and every blind group using that blind during the entire event. d) Other than dogs in the blind and dogs entering the ring, working, and exiting the ring, no dog may be within 10 feet of any fenced/gated side of any ring or on any side of the ring or area around the ring which will be crossed by dogs traveling between the blind and the ring. Dogs may be walked past the other side of a fully walled ring (see description above) but cannot be crated against a shared wall which is used as part of the ring enclosure on the other side. e) The Blind area must be marked and have a visual barrier on three sides such as fencing, tarps, etc. This barrier should clearly and visibly mark the borders/sides of the blind and act as a deterrent to unauthorized persons inadvertently wandering into the blind space. The blind material does not have to be any specific material or height (i.e., if out of sight of the ring, does not have to be full height opaque material). f) The Master blind must block not only the view of the ring, but also view of the rat holding areas where rats are being exchanged between runs. 3. Temporary holding area/bin for rat tubes. An area must be designated to place a bin or other safe structure, to be used by the outside Rat Wrangler to temporarily place tubes removed from the ring while the competitor is working, and for extra tubes needed for Master. This area is not less than 10 feet from the ring for Novice and Open, and not less than 5 feet, or more than 15 feet, from the ring for Senior and Master. For Master this area must 9

12 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event have a way to conceal the number of tubes from both spectators and competitors entering the ring (i.e., all bins covered) (See Part 6: Rat Care and Safety, page 20.) 4. Spectator areas. Barn Hunt is a spectator sport, and spectators/exhibitors (other than those in the blind) must be able to view the dogs working in the ring and are not required to be a specific minimum distance away. Clubs may specify the distance spectators can be from the ring depending on conditions, but never so far away that spectators cannot view dogs working in the ring. 5. Ring Enclosures. The secure ring enclosure consists of any combination of wall(s) and/or fencing/gating materials. Fencing/gating must be not less than four feet or more than five feet in height, secured in such a way that a dog cannot readily escape from the bottom or top. All fencing must be a minimum of 4' high. A shorter gate or section of fencing is not allowed. The secure ring enclosure must provide some visual as well as physical deterrent for the dog. Any openings or gaps must be less than 3" in height and/or width. The bottom of any gating may not be more than 2" off the floor. a) The minimum distance between two or more ring enclosures situated in the same open space which will be running dogs concurrently is 4'. Ring enclosures sharing a single open space, concurrently running dogs, and less than 10' apart must have a visual barrier on any side of the ring which would be visible to dogs competing in the other ring. Ring enclosures cannot share a single fenced/gated side unless only one ring will be in use at a time. b) Rings separated by solid, floor to ceiling masonry walls do not have to be 4' apart in order to run dogs concurrently, and can each be built against their respective side of that shared wall. c) The preferred fencing/gating material is white plastic lattice enclosed by PVC frames in 4' and 8' sections which can be secured to each other. The bottom of the PVC frame must be less than 3" from ground level (see Appendix C: Lattice Fencing Photos, page 62). d) Wire ex-pen gating may be used as a supplementary back up to more open gating such as hog panels or short PVC gates. When used this way, the ex pen gating must be securely affixed to the more rigid gating material. Ex pen gating can be used alone if it is secured in such a way that the gating cannot flex, fold, or collapse inward or outward. If used as the primary fencing material, a supplementary visual barrier such as a accordion or snow/construction fencing must be placed outside the fencing to help the dogs see the barrier. e) Plastic snow /construction fencing may be used if both securely affixed to well-anchored posts every 4' and also anchored along the base, such as with tent stakes at least every 1', or folded under and anchored with boards or bales in such a way that dogs cannot escape under the fence by pushing on it. Plastic fencing must also have stiffening such as a line or cord across the top edge. Plastic fencing should be of a bright color such as orange. Plastic fencing can also be used as a filler material in PVC frames. Plastic fencing cannot be used if not secured to a frame or anchored as described. Plastic fencing cannot be of fine, transparent material. f) Accordion baby gates cannot be used as a primary gating material but may be used to add a component of visual deterrence to existing fencing. g) Chicken wire or any metal material with sharp ends or edges cannot be used. h) Clubs who are using other gating/fencing materials not described in these rules or are unsure if their current fencing will comply with BHA rules should photos of their current gating/fencing to info@barnhunt. com. The BHA will review and advise Clubs on gating/fencing. SECTION 7. Required Inventory and Specifications to be Provided to All Judges The following information must be communicated/provided to the Judge(s) of Record a minimum of 21 days prior to a Trial so accurate and safe courses can be designed. Photos and videos are especially helpful and Clubs are encouraged to provide those to aid Judges in course design: Exact ring size(s) and dimensions (grid maps are especially helpful). Description of ring and Trial areas (indoors, outdoors, or a combination and whether there will be shade, heat, air conditioning, etc.). Footing/grounds material (i.e., dirt, gravel, concrete, rubber, grass, etc.). Any protuberances or hazards on the course such as pillars, footings, piers supporting a wall, etc. Number and location of solid floor to ceiling walls, if any. Gating/fencing material, type, and height. Number and dimensions of ramps and boards. 10

13 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event Potential ring entry and exit locations. Blind locations and distances in relation to the ring. Length and type of foam edging for boards. Exact measurement and number of bales to be used in each course level within the range of the course specifications below. If used from several lots, number of bales of each size to the best of the Club s knowledge and ability understanding that perfect measurement is sometimes impossible. SECTION 8. Course Specifications, Materials and Equipment Course Enclosure Size COURSE SPECIFICATIONS BY CLASS/LEVEL Instinct Novice Open Senior Master Crazy 8s Min 15' x 20' Max 20' x 24' ( sf) Min 20' x 20' Max 20' x 24' ( sf) Min 24' x 24' Max 25' x 30' ( sf) Number of bales Min 50 Min 35 Tunnel Specs No turn No turn 1 turn 2-3 turns 2-5 turns 2-5 turns Bale maximum stack height Number of tubes * 12* *For Master, 8 tubes are on the course at all times. A total of 12 tubes on hand allows the Club to have an adequate number of live and litter tubes standing by to quickly switch locations for each dog. For Crazy 8s, 12 tubes will be on the course at all times. See Appendix A: RATI Course Construction on page 59 for Instinct Course layout. Materials 1. Straw (preferred) or hay bales. Two stringer wheat straw bales are preferred. If wire is used for bale ties, all ends must be examined and any protrusions bent into the straw. Wire-tied bales must be rechecked during the Event to assure they stay safe. In addition to constructed/tied bales, a sufficient amount of loose straw must be available to hide tubes and provide visual camouflage. Straw bale sizes vary geographically. a) Wet and/or moldy straw is not acceptable for Barn Hunt use. b) Excessively loose bales should be deconstructed to provide fluff and not used for solid surfaces for dogs. 2. Ramps and Boards. Ramps are sturdy supports from 18" to 24" wide and 3' long. Boards may be a variety of sizes, with a minimum width of 24" (36" preferred, and for tunnel tops 36" x 48" preferred) and varying lengths to adequately cover tunnels and act as supports. Both ramps and boards are constructed of wood or other sturdy substance, with a non-slip surface such as paint with sand, rubber, or carpet. Paints branded as no-slip and without added materials are not an acceptable surface for a ramp or board. Ramps are used as an aid for dogs to ascend from one level to another on the course. Boards are used as a roof support for tunnels and as a bridge from one set of bales to another. Each ramp/board must support at least 200 pounds in weight and be well-anchored by bolts or bales for stability. a) Corners and edges must be rounded. b) Two 4" to 6" long blunt-ended bolts may be drilled through one end (for a ramp) or both ends (for a board or bridge), spaced evenly apart to be used to push through the straw below and anchor the board/ramp/bridge securely. These bolts must always be anchored in straw and never protrude into empty space such as a tunnel opening. Bolts should be removable. It is recommended that all boards be drilled and able to accept bolts. c) Clubs must provide enough boards to cover the entire top of all tunnels on each course, including a large 5 turn Master tunnel. d) Foam edging is required for all edges of any board which will protrude over open space. 3. Instinct Cradle. For the Barn Hunt Instinct ring, a cradle or mount must be constructed to safely hold rat tubes in place and prevent them from being shoved and knocked around by the dog. The Instinct Cradle must be constructed in such a way that each side of each rat tube is exposed except for the bottom under side which would normally be in contact with the ground. 11

14 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event a) Each tube in the Instinct Cradle must be spaced 16" to 18" apart, measured from the inside edges of each tube. b) The Instinct Cradle can have no sharp edges or be made of any type of hazardous material or constructed in a way which would pose a danger to dogs if the dog nips, grips, or paws at the cradle. INSTINCT CRADLE SPACING 16" (min) to 18" (max) 16" (min) to 18" (max) Or 20" (min) to 22" (max) on center 4. Tubes. Made to specifications in Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction, page 60. SECTION 9. Event Officials In addition to at least one Judge every Barn Hunt Fun Test and Trial shall have the following Event officials. 1. Event Committee. At least four people who will serve as overall facilitators, and also adjudicate over any incidents such as dog aggression, misconduct, poor sportsmanship, etc. At least three Event committee members must be present on the Trial grounds at all times during Trial hours. Event committee members can serve simultaneously in other positions but cannot be a Judge of Record for that Trial or Event. a) Events held in conjunction with other organization Events must have a designated liaison which is to be a person appointed by the Barn Hunt Club to interact with the public about the sport during the Event, as well as providing a source of information to the other organization. That person can also be an Event committee member. 2. Trial (or Test) Chair. Arranges location, hires Judges of Record and locates Back Up Judges (if any), oversees the Event and is the chief official in charge of the Trial. Applies for the Trial/Test with the BHA in accordance to the rules. A Trial/Test Chair may also serve as a Trial/Test Secretary at the same Trial/Event. A Trial/Test Chair who is also a Licensed Judge cannot serve as a Judge of Record at any Fun Test or Trial in which they are also serving as Trial/Test Chair and/or Secretary. A Trial/Test Chair who is also a Licensed Judge may act as a Back Up Judge at a Fun Test or Trial in which they are also serving as Trial Chair and/or Secretary. 3. Trial (or Test) Secretary. Creates and publishes a Premium, accepts entries, sends out confirmations, oversees check-ins, sets run orders. Records all passing and failing scores. Provides information on qualifiers and placements to the Award Chair for ribbons and awards. Submits all required paperwork and all run payments (Licensed Trials) to the BHA. A Trial/Test Secretary may also serve as a Trial/Test Chair at the same Trial/Event. A Trial/Test Secretary who is also a Licensed Judge cannot serve as a Judge of Record at any Fun Test or Trial in which they are also serving as Trial/Test Secretary and/or Chair. A Trial/Test Secretary who is also a Licensed Judge may act as a Back Up Judge at a Fun Test or Trial in which they are also responsible for serving as Trial Secretary and/or Chair, (see Trial Handbook). 4. Gate Steward. Responsible for getting dogs to the ring in a timely fashion. Opens, closes, and secures the gate. May assist the Trial Secretary in setting the run order. The Gate Steward and Blind Steward position can be combined. The Gate Steward can also be a Leash Runner to transport a leash from an entry gate to an exit gate but cannot enter the ring at any time. 5. Blind Steward. Assists Gate Steward by getting competitors to the blinded staging area and from the blinded staging area to the gate. 6. Course Builder(s). Responsible for building and maintaining the course to the design specified by the Judge. Course builders also make sure the ring fencing/enclosure is secure and safe for competitors and dogs. A minimum of three Course Builders must be available for each course build. 7. Rat Wrangler(s) and Chief Rat Wrangler(s). Responsible for rats and PVC tubes and able to ensure humane treatment and placement and removal of same. The Chief Rat Wrangler coordinates all other Rat Wranglers 12

15 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event through the Trial. For Instinct, Novice and Open there is one Inside Rat Wrangler. For Senior, Master and Crazy 8s there are two Inside Rat Wranglers. There can be as many Outside Rat Wranglers as the Club deems necessary. Chief Rat Wranglers must be able to make knowledgeable decisions on when rats should be rested and traded out, consulting with the Judge and/or the rat owner as necessary. (See The Rat Wrangler in Barn Hunt, page 57 a) The Chief Rat Wrangler can also serve as an Inside or Outside Rat Wrangler b) The Inside Rat Wrangler(s) must be physically agile and able to move quickly and efficiently from a stationary position to where the tube(s) are located to remove the tubes as specified in the rules. The inside Rat Wrangler(s) work(s) directly with the Judge to place and replace tubes. While serving as inside Rat Wrangler, the Rat Wrangler cannot serve in any other task/position except that they may take the leash from the handler and hand it to the leash runner. The inside Rat Wrangler must be at least 16 years of age. c) The Outside Rat Wranglers(s) must be able to move quickly and efficiently to meet the Inside Rat Wrangler at the side of the ring, to safely lift rats out of the ring and transport them to a pre-designated safe holding area. While this position can be combined with the position of leash runner, Rat Wrangling always takes priority. The outside Rat Wrangler may also assist in replacing rats during location changes. The outside Rat Wrangler must be at least 10 years of age. It is permissible for the Inside Rat Wrangler to hand the rat tube to any willing participant outside the ring if the Outside Rat Wrangler is not immediately available, at which time the Outside Rat Wrangler should take the rat tube as soon as possible and move it to the safe location. 8. Leash Runner. Makes sure gate is secure, accepts leash and collar from handler or inside Rat Wrangler and places it near the exit. May also assist as sheet runner, Gate Steward, or Outside Rat Wrangler. The Leash Runner is stationed outside the ring. 9. Scribe. Checks to make sure the correct dog is matched with the correct scoresheet as dogs enter the ring. Informs the Judge when last dog of each blind enters the ring. Records information on the score sheet as the Judge calls/signals the completion of individual elements by the team, checking off Tunnel, Climb, Rat (1, 2, etc.). a) The Scribe only marks what the Judge calls and never makes marks on the sheet of his/her own volition (i.e., if the Scribe sees a dog tunnel but the Judge does not call/signal tunnel, the Scribe does not record that the tunnel element is complete.) May record time as shown by the Judge s stopwatch. The Judge circles pass or fail on the sheet. b) The Scribe is stationed outside the ring and may either stand or sit. c) The Scribe never speaks to call tunnel, climb, or rat or in any way verbally prompts the Judge or handler. 10. Sheet Runner. Takes score sheet(s) from the Scribe to the Trial Secretary to be recorded. SECTION 10. Premium List A premium list must be provided for Barn Hunt Trials and Fun Tests. The premium list may be printed or available electronically, or both. It is strongly recommended that Clubs upload premiums to their Event using Secretary Functions Event Uploads on the Register. The Premium List must match the Event Application listed on the Register (i.e., same fees, same judges). Any change in fees, classes, or judges must be approved by the BHA, listed in both the online Event listing, in the Premium, and announced to all competitors. The following information must be included in the premium list: Name of Club holding the Event. The exact Event location (name of facility, address, city, state and zip code). Definition of the area(s) included in Club grounds if held in conjunction with other Events. Date(s) of the Event. Name, address, telephone number and of the Trial Chair and Trial Secretary. Names of the Event Committee members. Trial/Test Start time (the time when the first competitor will step into the ring). Description of ring (indoors, outdoors, footing). Description of blind size(s) and location(s). If the Event is to be held on private property, whether or not the Trial site is handicapped/wheelchair accessible and what accommodations may be made (note, all Events held on public property are required to be handicapped accessible). Entry fees. 13

16 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event Classes offered. Whether move-ups/lateral moves are allowed, and if so if they are allowed Trial to Trial or day to day. Information on the maximum number of different dogs allowed to enter per envelope (a maximum of 10 dog entries per envelope). Name, Judge number, and city/state for each Judge of Record. Entry Limits (See Part 4: Section 5. Judge Limits and Scheduling, page 8). This should be stated as X number or until the 8 hour judge limit is reached. Opening date. Closing date for pre-entries (required) which must be at least 10 days prior to the Event. Whether late/day of Show (DOS) entries are allowed and, if so, the late/dos entry fee amount and the timeframe in which DOS entries will be accepted (i.e., Day of Show entries accepted from 7 am to 8 am). An entry form. Bitch In Season (BIS) instructions. A Club and Barn Hunt liability waiver. Special Awards and High in Class ribbons, if offered. Refund policy (Clubs may set a policy to refund in case of injury or for other reasons but are not required to give refunds. The refund policy must be in the Premium. If no refunds are offered that information must also be in the premium). See Section 15. Withdrawals and Refunds on page 15 and Section 17. Cancellation of Events on page 16. SECTION 11. Late and Day of Show (DOS) Entries Clubs may elect to accept Late and/or Day of Show entries. 1. Late entries are those received after the closing date of the Trial but prior to the Trial date. 2. Late entry confirmations are optional for Clubs. 3. Trials may fill with Late entries. If DOS entries are also being accepted, persons with Late entries must show up during the DOS entry open period to confirm their presence. 4. If a draw is needed for the DOS entries, that draw will take place at a time designated by the Club on the morning of the Event during the Day of Show entry period. 5. DOS entries are first-come, first-served during the published time frame for acceptance on the same day of, and prior to the start of, a Trial of any Event, and can only be taken up to the total limit of entries for the Trial, based on a Judge s 8 hour day. 6. Any Late or DOS entries which exceed the total number of entries published, or the total time allowed for each Judge for the Trial must be rejected. Clubs are not required to offer Late/DOS entries. 7. DOS entries are not allowed at any Club s first Licensed Trial. DOS entry permission may be granted after the successful completion of the first Trial or as approved by the BHA. 8. DOS entries are not allowed at shows held in conjunction with AKC or UKC Events without written permission from the BHA office. SECTION 12. Wait Lists Clubs which fill all available entries before their closing date may choose to maintain a before and/or after closing waiting list. If maintaining a Wait List: 1. Envelopes received after the Trial limit has been met should be kept in the order in which they were received. 2. A maximum of 10 dog entries are allowed per envelope. 3. All dogs in one envelope must be processed/entered before going to the next envelope. a) If all dogs in one envelope cannot be entered into the Trial due to limits being reached, the Trial Secretary must attempt to contact the affected owner(s) through and/or phone and ask if a partial entry is accepted. A deadline for reply must be included. Competitors who do not respond to the contact attempt within the deadline period are entered with a partial entry into the Trial. 14

17 Part 4: Holding a Barn Hunt Event 4. An After Closing Wait list may be maintained. a) If a person who has entered into the Trial prior to closing wishes to withdraw from the Trial after closing, they may do so with no penalty and receive a full refund if an after closing wait list has been established and there are waiting entries which can be used to fill their spot. b) If a person withdraws after closing and no one is on a wait list to fill their spot or the Club does not offer an After Closing Wait List, their entry is not eligible for refund unless their withdrawal is covered by the published refund policy of the Club. SECTION 13. Random Draws Clubs who regularly fill Trials quickly may choose to offer a Random Draw entry system. Trials choosing Random Draw may also maintain Wait Lists. If choosing a Random Draw entry system: 1. An Opening date is mandated for the Trial. 2. A Random Draw date is mandated for the Trial. a) The Random Draw date must be at least two weeks after the opening date and at least two weeks prior to the closing date. 3. Entries received for a Random Draw Trial must be kept in random order, not in order in which they were received. 4. A maximum of 10 dog entries are allowed per envelope. 5. On the date of the Random Draw, the Secretary and at least one other Trial Committee member must be present. Envelopes are picked/drawn in random order. 6. All dogs in one envelope must be processed/entered before going on to the next envelope. a) If all dogs in one envelope cannot be entered into the Trial due to limits being reached, the Trial Secretary must attempt to contact the owner through and/or phone and ask if a partial entry is accepted. A deadline for reply must be included. Competitors who do not respond to the contact attempt within the deadline period are entered with a partial entry into the Trial. Section 14. Invalid and Conditional Entries 1. No entry into any Barn Hunt Trial or Fun Test can be conditional. A conditional entry is one in which the competitor attaches conditions to the entry, such as requesting the Club wait a certain amount of time to cash a check, indicating that payment will follow, indicating they will only enter if a friend s dog also is entered, etc. 2. Entry forms must be submitted with correct information and accompanied by valid payment. 3. Barn Hunt Trial entry forms submitted without a correct Barn Hunt Registration number are not considered valid entries. a) All qualifying scores earned at a Trial entered with an incorrect BH number will be voided. Barn Hunt numbers always consist of the letters BH- followed by a sequence of 5 digits; i.e., BH Individuals may access their Barn Hunt number at under Your Dogs. If the competitor has received qualifying scores in an A level class at a higher level of competition after competing with an invalid Barn Hunt number, those qualifying scores will be voided. 4. Competitors are responsible for carefully checking their Trial confirmations and bringing errors to the attention of the Trial Secretary. 5. Barn Hunt Numbers entered on Trial entry forms which are illegible by the Trial Secretary are considered invalid. The Trial Secretary may contact the owner for clarification but is not required to do so. 6. A returned check does not constitute a valid entry into any Barn Hunt Trial or Fun Test. If a check is returned to the Club after the Trial, and the exhibitor does not pay for the check and any associated fees within a time limit set by the Club, the entry is not valid and any qualifying scores from that Event will be voided. If the competitor has received qualifying scores in an A level class at a higher level of competition after failing to pay for the check within the time limit set by the club who received the returned check, those qualifying scores will be voided. SECTION 15. Withdrawals and Refunds 1. Competitors who withdraw any or all entries from a Fun Test, Trial or Trials prior to the pre-entry closing date must receive a refund of all entry fees, minus any non-refundable credit card/paypal transaction fees if applicable. Courtesy fees cannot be assessed for entry fees withdrawn prior to closing. 15

18 Part 5: General Rules 2. Competitors who withdraw any or all entries from a Fun Test, Trial or Trials after the pre-entry closing date receive a refund if the Club is accepting late and/or day of show entries and a new entry replaces the withdrawn entry. Clubs cannot collect two entry fees for the same run or runs (i.e., not refund a withdrawn entry but also accept a replacement entry for the same slot). SECTION 16. Assumption of Risk All persons attending and/or entering a Barn Hunt Association LLC Trial or Fun Test in any capacity do so at their own risk and agree to assume responsibility for damage caused by them, or by their dogs and hold the Trial Club and Barn Hunt Association harmless for any injury sustained by their dog or by a dog or person during the Trial. By entering a Trial, owners attest that they have read, understand, and will abide by, all Barn Hunt Rules and Regulations. SECTION 17. Cancellation of Events Every attempt should be made to hold a Barn Hunt Association, LLC Event as scheduled. In the event of an Act of God such as fire, flood, severe weather etc. an Event may be canceled. The Club must make every attempt to contact entrants and inform them of the cancellation. In such a case, the Club is not obligated to return any or all of entry fees collected, but may do so at their own discretion. Trial/Fun Test application fees for Trials canceled due to an Act of God non-refundable. 1. Other than Acts of God/Emergencies as outlined above, no Licensed Trial may be canceled less than 60 days prior to the first date of the Event, nor can a Fun Test be canceled less than 30 days prior to the first date of the Event. 2. Trials may be canceled more than 60 days in advance as long as any/all entry fees are fully refunded. Cancellations more than 60 days in advance will be refunded Trial Application fees minus 3% in PayPal fees. Fun Tests may be canceled more than 30 days in advance as long as any/all entry fees are fully refunded. Cancellations more than 30 days in advance will be refunded the Fun Test Application fee minus 3% in PayPal fees. SECTION 18. Judge Cancellations In the case of a Judge who unexpectedly becomes ill or for some other reason is unable to judge on the day of the Event, the Club should avoid cancellation of the Event if possible. If another Judge is on Trial grounds, that Judge may be asked to judge the Event. If no other Judge is available, the Event may be canceled, OR the Club may use the most experienced person at the Event to judge the Event, as long as that person does not simultaneously perform the duties of Trial Secretary. Clubs in this situation should promptly contact the BHA at info@barnhunt.com to discuss options. 1. Back Up Judge rules do apply in these situations QQPart 5: General Rules SECTION 1. Dogs Eligible to Compete Any domestic dog of any breed or mix, six months of age or older, can participate in Barn Hunt Events. Dogs with a valid Barn Hunt Registration number, can participate in Barn Hunt Trials. The dog must be able to fit through an 18 wide by bale-height tall tunnel made of straw/hay bales. Both altered and intact dogs can compete. 1. Bitches in season (BIS) are eligible to compete. BIS will run at the end of each level/class entered regardless of height. a) BIS must compete in panties specifically designed for the purpose of preventing/containing seasonal discharges. b) BIS must be crated separately from other dogs in an isolated area. A Bitch In Season sign must be affixed to the crate or displayed close by the crating area. c) Owners of BIS must inform the Trial Chair of their status as soon as possible; prior to the Event if known, or the morning of the Trial if the BIS comes into season that day, so that run orders can be adjusted. d) Failure to inform the Trial committee of a BIS is grounds for dismissal from the Trial. e) BIS must wear pants at all times when out of their crates except when being pottied. f) BIS must be pottied separately from the other dogs at the Trial. g) BIS must be blinded separately from other dogs unless the owners of all the dogs who would be in the blind with the BIS agree to allow the BIS to blind with them (i.e., all other dogs are altered and not likely to be affected) h) If a BHA Trial is held in conjunction with another organization/venue s Event, if the other venue dictates that no BIS are allowed, a special exemption will be considered by the BHA LLC for that one Event. The Trial-giving 16

19 Part 5: General Rules Club must request that exemption by to If granted, the exemption is to be posted in the premium. Except in those specific cases, all Clubs must allow bitches in season to compete as set forth in these rules. 2. Deaf dogs are eligible to compete. 3. Dogs with limited or partial vision are eligible to compete. That includes dogs missing one eye and dogs blind in one eye as well as dogs with partial vision in one or both eyes. SECTION 2. Handler Age and Accommodations 1. There is no specific minimum age for handlers to compete in Barn Hunt. All able handlers of any age must be able to safely handle the dog without assistance while on the way to the blind, waiting in the blind, on the way to the ring, in the ring, and exiting the ring and surrounding area. If, in the opinion of the Trial Chair and/or Judge the dog can not be safely handled due to an otherwise able handler s young age, the Club may ask for a substitute handler. 2. Some handlers will need special accommodation due to a disability. Those accommodations will be tailored to that handler s specific needs. Special accommodations may include assistance getting to the blind or holding a dog in the blind (two persons in blind for that one dog), assisting the handler to the ring or even inside the ring taking the collar and leash off. If an assistant is used inside the ring to aid in unleashing and leashing the dog, the assistant remains standing at the gate in the ring while the dog is run, with his or her back to the course. The assistant cannot interact with the handler or accept a rat tube. SECTION 3. Smoking/Vaping For fire safety, no smoking (regular tobacco or e-cigarettes/vapor cigarettes) of any kind can occur within 50' of any bale of straw or within 20' of any blind at any Barn Hunt Event. Individual Clubs may set up smoking/vaping areas at the Club s discretion but are not required to do so. Section 4. Dogs Ineligible to Compete 1. Dogs without a Barn Hunt registration number are ineligible to compete in a Barn Hunt Trial. 2. The dog s correct Barn Hunt Registration number must be included on the entry form at the time of entry to be considered valid. (See Trial Handbook on the Barn Hunt website or in Secretary Functions). a) Dogs without a Barn Hunt registration number may compete in a Barn Hunt Fun Test. 3. Dogs under six months of age on the date of the Trial/Test are ineligible to compete. 4. Blind dogs are ineligible to compete. Blindness means without useful vision. 5. Dogs with visible stitches or bandages, protective items or other attachments cannot compete. Dogs with open wounds cannot compete. Dogs with minor scrapes may be eligible to compete. The determination for eligibility is to be decided by the Judge. 6. A single band or small barrette may be used to tie a dog s hair out of his/her eyes. More than one band is not allowed. 7. Dogs in wheeled carts are ineligible to compete. 8. Lame dogs are ineligible to compete. a) The Judge must dismiss from the ring a lame dog, or any dog the Judge considers unable to safely complete the course due to a physical issue. b) Dogs missing a limb are not automatically to be considered lame and are eligible to compete as long as they can negotiate the course safely and without showing signs of pain. Dogs must be sound on the number of limbs they have which are capable of being used. c) A truncated, withered, or congenitally missing limb is not necessarily grounds for dismissal due to lameness. A dog with a full length limb that dangles part or all of the time is considered lame and is ineligible to compete. d) The Judge(s) of Record for the Trial will determine the dog s ability to safely navigate the course. Veterinary notes are not accepted as evidence of soundness. SECTION 5. Dog Aggression 1. Dog aggression results in a Disqualification (DQ) and dismissal from Trial grounds. 2. Dog Aggression is an overt threat from a dog against another dog or a person and/or an attack with contact against another dog or a person with the intent to harm. 17

20 Part 5: General Rules a) Overt threat is the judgment that if a person or dog was not very quickly removed from the immediate vicinity a bite or attack would certainly have taken place. 3. Injury does not have to occur for a dog to be deemed aggressive. 4. Dogs who rumble (a quiet growl) or posture are not necessarily deemed aggressive. 5. Dogs jumping on or bumping into a Judge or Rat Wrangler with no mouth contact or intent to harm are not deemed aggressive. a) A dog nipping the handler (including hands while the handler attempts to remove the tube) Judge, or Rat Wrangler as the tube is removed (prey drive nip) receives a non-qualifying (NQ) score and is dismissed from the course but is not considered aggressive or overtly threatening. Nipping is defined as teeth coming in contact with and closing on skin or clothing. 6. Dogs responding defensively to another dog s aggressive action are not deemed aggressive. 7. Dogs gripping (grabbing and not letting go with mouth/teeth) other dogs or people are deemed aggressive. 8. All dog sizes, breeds and types are to be judged equally in terms of dog aggression. Breeds or breed types are not to be considered in any decision on dog aggression. 9. Sparring or other intentional pitting of one dog against another is not allowed on Trial grounds. 10. All dogs must be able to work in a ring with the Judge, handler, and one or more Rat Wranglers. 11. Judge and/or Trial Committee decisions on dog aggression are considered final for that Event. A written report on any and all incidents is to be included in the Trial report (see the Trial Handbook and the Dog Aggression Report). a) The Trial Committee as a whole must meet and collect testimony and data on the Event. Witnesses may be called and information must be collected and recorded from both the accused and the victim. Any Trial committee member who is the owner/handler of one of the dogs charged in the incident cannot act as a committee member for the purpose of voting on whether a person is to be dismissed from the Trial. b) The committee must take and record a vote of yea or nay for dismissal on the grounds of dog aggression and provide the record of that vote, along with any substantiating evidence, to the Barn Hunt LLC. c) Once dismissed for aggression, a dog is not allowed to compete in any future Events. The BHA office will make a final decision on the dog s ability to compete in the future. 12. Dogs who are dismissed due to dog aggression are required to leave the Trial grounds immediately after any Trial Committee hearing and are not allowed to return to any Trial grounds at any Barn Hunt Trial or Barn Hunt Fun Test without express written permission of the BHA office (see the Dog Aggression Report available in the Trial Packet on the Barn Hunt website and in Secretary Functions). 13. Dogs who have a written record of aggression where proof of damage to a person or to another dog can be substantiated beyond a reasonable doubt (i.e. police report, photographic and/or video evidence, admittance of guilt by owner) may be proactively dismissed from Barn Hunt at the discretion of the BHA administration, and are not guaranteed a right to compete or to be present on Barn Hunt grounds. SECTION 6. Misconduct/Lack of Sportsmanship All competitors, Club members, Judges, and spectators in Barn Hunt are expected to act within the Code of Good Sportsmanship outlined in these rules (see Part 1: Section 3. Code of Good Sportsmanship, page 4). Loud arguments, fighting, cheating, or disrespect toward spectators, competitors, Judges, Club members, or Trial committee members, may be grounds for dismissal from a Barn Hunt Trial. 1. Judge and/or Trial Committee decisions on misconduct are considered final for that Event. A written report on any and all incidents is to be included in the Trial report (see the Trial Handbook and the Misconduct Report available in the Trial Packet or on Secretary Functions on the Barn Hunt website). a) The Trial Committee as a whole must meet and collect testimony and data on the Event. Witnesses may be called and information must be collected and recorded from both the accused and the victim. Any Trial committee member who is one of the persons charged in the incident cannot act as a committee member or vote on whether a person is to be dismissed from the Trial. b) The person accused in an incident of misconduct must be informed of the Trial committee meeting and offered the opportunity to testify at that meeting. If the accused leaves the Trial grounds prior to the meeting of the committee, they forfeit their right to testify and the Trial committee meeting will proceed without them. 18

21 Part 5: General Rules c) The committee must take and record a vote of yea or nay for dismissal on grounds of misconduct/lack of sportsmanship and provide the record of that vote, along with substantiating evidence, to the Barn Hunt LLC. 2. Persons who are dismissed due to misconduct/lack of sportsmanship are required to leave the Trial grounds immediately after the Trial hearing (if present). The person and any/all dogs owned or co-owned by the person and living in residence with the person at the time of the misconduct are not allowed to attend, compete (Judge/serve on committees) at any future Events. The BHA office will make a final decision on the person s ability to return to Barn Hunt. 3. Persons who have been banned from other dog sport organizations may be proactively dismissed from Barn Hunt at the discretion of the BHA administration, and are not guaranteed a right to compete or to be present on Barn Hunt grounds. SECTION 7. Double Handling Double handling or aiding the competitor inside the ring from outside the ring includes telling the Judge Climb or Tunnel when the Judge has not so indicated, talking about rat locations, or even something as innocuous as dramatically increasing the number of audible camera clicks as a team nears a live rat hide or making sure a camera is always near the live rat hide. 1. The Judge and/or Rat Wrangler(s) should avoid verbally discuss rat locations when hiding or rehiding tubes. 2. Most incidences of double handling are accidental/inadvertent. a) If the Judge feels the inadvertent double handling aided the handler and/or dog in the ring, the minimum penalty for the person who initiated the cue which aided the team is an NQ for their next run. The Judge may choose to re-run the team in a later blind. b) If the Judge feels the inadvertent double handling did not aid the handler and/or dog in the ring, a verbal warning is sufficient for the first offense. Repeated inadvertent offenses may result in an NQ for the person who has initiated the cue. c) Victims of inadvertent double handling are to be re-run in a later blind. 3. If a Judge witnesses deliberate double handling, or if a charge of deliberate double handling is brought to the Judge, the Judge and the Trial Committee as a whole must meet and collect testimony and data on the Event. Witnesses may be called. Any Trial committee member who is one of the persons charged in the incident cannot act as a committee member or vote on whether a person is to be dismissed from the Trial. a) The committee must take and record a vote of yea or nay for dismissal on grounds of deliberate double handling and provide that vote, along with substantiating evidence, to the Barn Hunt LLC. b) Once dismissed for deliberate double handling, the person and any/all dogs owned or co-owned by the person so dismissed are not allowed to attend, compete (Judge/serve on committees) at any future Events. The BHA office will make a final decision on the person s ability to return to Barn Hunt. 4. Persons who are dismissed due to deliberate double handling are required to leave the Trial grounds immediately after the Trial hearing and are not allowed to return to any Trial grounds at any Barn Hunt Trial or Barn Hunt Fun Test without express written permission of the BHA office. SECTION 8. Loud/Disruptive dogs Dogs that are loud and disruptive may be asked to be located away from the rings/crating area. Dogs/handlers who are so disruptive in the blind that they disturb other dogs to the extent that the other dog s performance will be adversely affected are dismissed from the blind by a Trial official and/or the Judge of Record. If the dog cannot be brought under control, the dog may be dismissed from the class and/or Trial/Event. SECTION 9. Judge Decisions If a competitor has a question about a call or action of the Judge of Record, the competitor may politely address the question to the Judge after their blind or after the class. However, all Judge decisions at a Trial are considered final. If the competitor feels the situation is not resolved, the competitor may contact the Barn Hunt office at info@barnhunt.com with a written explanation of the incident. The Barn Hunt office will investigate. Results of that investigation may or may not be reported to the competitor. Videotaped evidence cannot be used at an Event to support or dispute a claim. A link may be provided to the Barn Hunt office for later review and follow up, though it will not change the decision on the day. 19

22 Part 6: Rat Care and Safety SECTION 10. Collars and Leashes 1. Electronic collars are not allowed to be used on Trial grounds. 2. Bark collars, including citronella bark collars, are not allowed to be used on Trial grounds. 3. Head halters are not allowed to be used on Trial grounds. 4. Muzzles are not allowed to be used on Trial grounds. 5. All other collar, lead, and harness types and combination are allowed to be used on Trial grounds. 6. At no time can dogs be tied out or otherwise left attached to anything other than a human when outside a crate, car, or other secure enclosed confinement. Leashes cannot be left dangling or dragging. Standing or stepping on a leash is not allowed as a form of restraint (but may be used in an emergency to help secure a loose dog.) Accommodations to this rule may be made for differently-abled handlers as determined by the Club. 7. Dogs cannot be brought to the ring on flexi-leads or prong collars. Dogs should be brought into the ring with collars/harnesses/slipleads which can be easily and quickly removed and replaced. 8. Dogs must run naked, without a collar/harness. SECTION 11. Training on Trial Grounds 1. Dogs cannot be trained on Trial grounds before or during any Licensed Trial held that same date. That includes training outside the ring with rats, tubes, bales, or practice tunnels. See Part 2: Definitions, page 4 for information on Clinics allowed after a Licensed Trial. 2. Competitors cannot enter any unattended ring enclosure unless authorized, with the exception of course builders. Dogs are not allowed on any course except when competing on that course. No training is allowed on partially built courses. SECTION 12. Height Divisions Height divisions are to equalize efforts for dogs of the same general size. Small: Dogs 13 and under Medium: Dogs 13.1 to 18 Large: Dogs over 18 SECTION 13. Measuring Dogs It is the responsibility of the person registering the dog and entering the Trial to correctly measure their dog and enter the correct height. Judges will measure any dog(s) they feel may be in the incorrect height. Competitors may also request that a dog be measured; either their own dog or any other dog entered in the Trial. The Club must provide a wicket for use by the Judge. The wicket may be an agility wicket, a conformation-ring wicket, or a home made wicket. A raised, level surface such as an agility table is preferred for measurements. In the absence of an agility table, the Club should use a hard, flat, level surface. Dogs are measured at the discretion of the Judge. 1. The measurement is from the highest point of the wither to the ground. The wicket should not rest on the back of the neck, nor should it rest on the back behind the shoulder. 2. If a dog measures out of a height division, the dog may be moved to the correct height division at that Trial at the discretion of the Trial Secretary. Trial secretaries/clubs are not required to move dogs into a different height division. If the secretary/club does not allow the dog to move that dog is ineligible for competition at that show. 3. The competitor is responsible for making sure the correct height is listed in the dog s record on the Register, by using the Edit Dog feature. QQPart 6: Rat Care and Safety SECTION 1. General Considerations Rat care and safety is critical to the success of Barn Hunt. A knowledgeable Chief Rat Wrangler is required at all Events to monitor the health and safety of rats. (See Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction, page 60 for Rat Tube construction specifications). Barn Hunt Clubs are expected to adhere by the Barn Hunt rules and stipulations on rat care at all times, both during and outside of Trial/Event hours. Clubs found to abuse rats will face sanctions up to and including expulsion as a Barn Hunt Club, regardless of whether the abuse happened during a Licensed BHA Event. 20

23 Part 7: General Specifications for All Class Levels 1. Domestic rats are the only acceptable animal for use in Barn Hunt. Dwarf rats and hairless rats are not to be used in Barn Hunt. a) In municipalities where rats are illegal, contact the Barn Hunt office for alternatives. 2. All rats must be weaned and of an age of 16 weeks or older. 3. Rats must be able to comfortably turn around in the tube. 4. Rats are never to be lifted or dangled by their tails. SECTION 2. Tubes and Safe Rat Enclosures 1. All rats must be secured in Rat Tubes or safely and comfortably caged in a quiet location away from the dogs at all times. a) At no time can rats be carried loose anywhere on Trial grounds during Trial hours except when transferring rats from a tube to their safe enclosure. b) The safe enclosure must be away from the rings and dog and human traffic with a physical barrier to prevent casual access. Only authorized personnel are allowed in the safe enclosure. Handlers with dogs are not allowed to approach or be within 10' of the safe enclosure. Clubs may set a distance of larger than 10'. The 10 distance rule may be waived if rats are in a completely different, enclosed room with a door, but the safe enclosure may not share a wall with any ring (i.e., ring in one room, safe enclosure placed against the shared wall in an adjacent room). 2. Rats must always have one cup of bedding/litter in their tube to help with sanitation and comfort. The litter in the tube must be the same type of litter in which the rats are regularly housed, and the same type which is used in the litter-only tubes. Litter must be checked and replaced if necessary if it becomes too wet. 3. Each tube holds only one rat. SECTION 3. Duration and Type of Work 1. Rats cannot be worked continuously through an entire day. They must be traded out as necessary to their safe enclosure for breaks and water. The timing of when rats are traded out depends on weather, conditions, and circumstances of how the rat tube is worked. a) Rats do not have to be traded out every five dogs unless conditions dictate. 2. Handlers cannot allow their dogs to excessively kick, pull, tug, roll, shake, or bite at tubes, whether live, litter, or empty. Judges may intervene at any time if they feel a rat is in danger due to rough handling (see Stalling and Lack of Control, Part 10: Section 5. Disqualifications, page 30) Handlers should very strongly discourage dogs from carrying tubes. 3. Clubs/organizations must ensure an adequate number of rats on site for all rats to be able to be rested and not overworked. 4. Rats are never to be harmed before, during, or after any Licensed Event or any Clinic/workshop/training day held by any Club representing the BHA. 5. In the case of any rat suffering damage, injury, or death at a Barn Hunt Event, the circumstances and details of the incident must be reported in writing on the Secretary Show Report. Clubs with multiple incidences of rat injury/ death will have their ability to hold Events revoked. QQPart 7: General Specifications for All Class Levels SECTION 1. Course Construction 1. All courses are to be designed according to the specifications for each class level. 2. The majority of each course must be physically accessible by the handler without the handler having to climb or jump over bales or bridges. Any part of the course (other than some parts of the tunnel) not physically accessible must be visibly accessible (must be able to see the dog indicate the rat). a) The area from the blind to the entrance gate, the entrance gate itself, and the area inside the ring from the entrance gate to the start box must be handicapped accessible. 3. The course is identical for all dog heights within each class level, and must be designed with all dog heights in mind. 21

24 Part 7: General Specifications for All Class Levels SECTION 2. The Start Box The start box is a 4' x 4' square area inside the enclosed ring area from which all teams will release their dog. The start box may consist of four orange cones, other easily moved markers placed on the ground at each corner, or chalk or tape on the floor. 1. Nothing can be placed on the ground to mark the start box which would present a tripping hazard if the owner exited the side of the box. 2. Teams must be able to exit at least 2 sides of the box without encountering a bale. 3. Teams which dislodge a corner marker/cone are not to be penalized. 4. Teams cannot leave the start box until directed to do so by the Judge (see Judge Guidelines Part 8: Section 3. False Starts, page 54. SECTION 3. Official and Incidental Tunnels 1. Official tunnels are 18" wide by the height of the sidewall bales used in their construction, set on their taller horizontal sides, and covered. 2. All courses include at least one Official Tunnel. All tunnels which meet the standards for the Official Tunnel for the class level are automatically deemed Official Tunnels. 3. All 18" wide tunnels (Official or Incidental) must be covered with boards and partially or wholly covered by hay bales. 4. Tunnel location, configuration, length, number of openings, and turns vary by class level (see Judge Guidelines Part 6: Section 8. Tunnels, page 49). 5. Any gap between bales which does not meet the specifications described above, and any tunnel which is not correct for the class level, is an Incidental tunnel (i.e., two bales angled together with a gap, etc.). Dogs may complete any number of Incidental tunnels but those tunnels do not count toward the official tunneling effort. Incidental tunnels do not have to be covered by boards. 6. Uncovered alleys are permitted. Section 4. Ramps Ramps are available to help dogs accomplish the climb portion of the class. 1. A minimum of one ramp constructed as specified in Part 4: Section 8. Course Specifications, Materials and Equipment, page 11 must be used on each course, from the ground level to one bale high. Straw bales placed on an angle are not acceptable replacements for this ramp. 2. Ramps are not required at every location where there is more than one level. 3. Dogs are not required to use ramps. SECTION 5. Bridges Bridges are an optional tool for Judges to add variety to a course. Bridges are ramps or boards spanning an open space in such a way that the dog could walk from one bale to another across the bridge. 1. Bridges must be anchored and stable. 2. Bridges must be as close to possible to horizontal and cannot go from one level of straw to a higher or lower level of straw. 3. Bridges must be fully visible and not covered with straw. 4. In Novice, Open, and Senior bridges cannot block a portion of the course in such a way that a handler would have to circle around a majority of the course or step over the bridge to access the area on the other side of the bridge. 5. Dogs are never required to negotiate a bridge. SECTION 6. Rat Tube Locations With the following exceptions, any tube (live, litter, and/or empty) may be hidden anywhere within the ring enclosure. The possible locations of live and litter tubes varies by class level (see Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles, page 30 and Part 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles, page 35). 1. All tubes must be hidden at least 24 from any side or corner of the start box. 2. No tube may be hidden in any location where the handler cannot observe his/her dog s indication of a live find. 22

25 Part 8: Performance Guidelines for All Levels 3. No tube may be hidden in such a way that a dog could easily push, roll, or shove the tube into an inaccessible area of the Open, Senior, Master or Crazy 8s tunnel. 4. The drain/grate end of any tube cannot be hidden deeper than 10" from an outside surface of a bale, bridge, or ramp. 5. Tubes cannot be hidden in such a way that an entire bale would have to be lifted off the tube to remove the tube or wedged so tightly into a gap that the handler or Rat Wrangler would struggle to remove the tube. 6. Tubes cannot be hidden in such a way that if the dog pushes at the tube it could drop down the vertical distance of more than one bale. 7. In Novice and Open, no tube can be located closer than 18" from another tube of any type. In Senior and Master, no tube can be located closer than 6" from another tube of any type. 8. The locations of all tubes will be switched between each blind and can be re-hidden anywhere throughout the course enclosure where it is legal to place them (they will not be rotated between 3 locations for example). a) In some rotations the live tube may be in a more accessible place than in others. That is the luck of the draw. 9. In Master, the number of live rat tubes will be switched between each dog within each blind. Litter tubes will stay in place for the entirety of each blind (see Part 12: Section 6. Master Barn Hunt (RATM, RATMX, RATCH, RATCHX), page 34. See also Judge Guidelines Part 8: Judging and Scoring, page 53). 10. All tubes used for a class/level must be painted in the same color scheme so as to be indistinguishable from each other. All tubes should show the same approximate wear pattern (i.e., one set of tubes may not be reserved to always be empty or always be litter tubes). 11. Tubes must be loosely covered with straw in such a way that they cannot be seen by handler or dog. Tubes cannot be so heavily covered as to cut off air to the rat or hinder the ability of the dog to scent through the hay/straw. 12. Straw cannot be packed tightly over the tube. 13. Tubes must be checked and re-covered as necessary after each dog. 14. Tubes must be placed as horizontally as possible. If set at an angle, that angle must be less than 45 degrees. Tubes can never be placed vertically. QQPart 8: Performance Guidelines for All Levels SECTION 1. Blinded Staging Area 1. Handlers must stage in a blinded area in groups of five for Instinct, Novice, Open, Senior, and Crazy 8s. Groups of fewer than 5 are inevitable at the end of classes or if a handler fails to show up for a blind, but the optimal number is 5. In Master, the blind will consist of 3, 4, or 5 handlers per blind. Every effort must be made to keep dogs calm and quiet in the blind so as not to be disruptive to other dogs. Food and/or toys may be used in the blinded area as long as all food/toys are removed as the dog exits and toy use does not infringe on any other handler s space. 2. Handlers cannot bring crates, x-pens, or physical dividers in the blind (see Part 4: Section 6. Grounds, Blinds, and Course Enclosures, page 9 for allowed permanent partition information). Handlers cannot return to the blind after their run. 3. It is the handler s responsibility to get to their designated blind on a timely basis. Failure to enter the blind on a timely basis and/or to proceed immediately to the start line when called may result in being skipped in the order and/or up to an NQ if the delay is repeated or pronounced. The Club and Judge will choose whether and when to allow the handler who has missed their blind to run. 4. Each new set of handlers must wait until the last dog from the previous blind exits before entering the blind. 5. Handlers in the blind may talk freely with each other but cannot talk to persons outside the blind. Handlers exiting the ring may indicate a thumbs up or down to their blind mates still waiting to go into the ring. 6. Other than Club officials who need to access the blind for a specific reason, only handlers and dogs waiting to go into the ring are allowed in the blind. No extra persons or dogs are allowed in the blind at any time except persons assisting the differently-abled. 7. Cell phones, other electronic communication devices, and devices with self-timers are prohibited in the blind/staging area and the ring. a) Watches and fitness bands without self-timers are allowed and must be worn openly. 23

26 Part 8: Performance Guidelines for All Levels 8. Dogs cannot be staged just outside or behind the blind. All dogs and handlers must be physically inside the boundaries of the blind (see Part 5: Section 1. Dogs Eligible to Compete, page 16, and Section 8. Loud/Disruptive dogs, page 19). 9. See Part 5: Section 2. Handler Age and Accommodations, page 17 for information about young and/or differently-abled handlers. SECTION 2. Entering the Ring and Releasing the Dog Handlers must bring their dog into the enclosed course area on an approved collar/harness and lead which can be quickly removed and replaced. Dogs must run naked, without collar/leash/harness. 1. Dogs may be carried into the ring if they are of a size to be comfortably carried. 2. The collar/leash may be removed at any time after the dog has entered the course and the gate has been secured. The collar/leash can be handed to either the Rat Wrangler or outside leash runner before or immediately after the team has been released from the start box. Alternately, the lead may be folded in a pocket so that it is not visible. The collar/leash cannot be carried in a hand. The collar/leash cannot be handed to the Judge. Handlers should make every effort not to throw or drop the leash on the ground. 3. All dogs in each class will be released from the start box (see Part 7: Section 2. The Start Box, page 22). Handlers cannot deliberately lead out to get an advantage; the handler and dog should leave the start box at approximately the same time. 4. Handlers must wait for the Judge to verbally instruct them with a command such as go when ready, before releasing their dog. If a team leaves the box before being verbally commanded by the judge it is a False Start. The Judge will make the choice to either call the team back to the start box or allow the team to continue. The team will be assessed a 20 second penalty, to be added to the team s overall time at the end of the run. If the handler is called back to the box and False Starts a second time, an NQ score is assessed. 5. After the Judge s verbal instruction to go, handlers should release the dog as quickly as possible. Handlers are allowed to take a few moments to get their dogs settled and focused after the Judge s verbal prompt to go, but should not excessively delay. a) If a Judge feels a competitor is hesitating too long in the start box, the Judge will prompt the handler, Start now please. If the handler does not then release the dog promptly, the handler may be assessed a Stalling penalty. 6. Handlers cannot bowl the dog by pushing/shoving/tugging the dog forward during the release. 7. Handlers cannot drop the dog during the release. At least two of the dog s feet must be on the floor prior to release with the exception of wheelchair bound or other differently-abled competitors who request and receive permission of the Judge to use alternate release methods (i.e., from their lap). 8. If a very large dog does not fit completely inside the start box, the front feet and chest of the dog must be inside the start box, facing into the course. 9. Time starts when any part of the handler or dog exits the start box after the verbal instruction from the Judge (in the case of a very large dog, when any part of the dog previously contained in the box or any part of the handler leaves the start box). SECTION 3. General Course Rules Handlers can and should move around the course while the dog works to be able to view and call the mark of the correct live rat tube. Handlers can speak and gesture at will and verbally praise and encourage their dog. 1. Handlers cannot bring food or toys into the ring. 2. Handlers cannot self-time in the ring. 3. Handlers cannot enter the ring with bait bags, pouches, or other attachments (including cameras). a) Handlers may choose to wear gloves in the ring. A dog nipping, grabbing, or biting a handler s glove will receive a non-qualifying (NQ) score and be dismissed from the ring (see Part 5. Section 5. Dog Aggression, page 17). 4. Handlers cannot deliberately touch, sit on, step on or over any bales, boards, ramps, bridges, tubes, or other course equipment except as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 and Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s), page 27. a) Handlers who slip or fall may use the bales/boards, etc. without penalty as a means to catch themselves or as an aid to getting back up. 24

27 Part 8: Performance Guidelines for All Levels b) In Instinct class, handlers can step over, but not on, the Instinct cradle. 5. Handlers cannot deliberately touch their dog at any time after the release from the start box and before the finish of the course except for during the Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward period after a live tube is correctly located. a) Body blocking, pushing, or nudging the dog with hip, knee, leg, or foot, is considered deliberate touching b) Once a handler has taken his/her hands off their dog after Allowed Praise and Reward, placing his/her hands back on the dog prior to calling the find of a rat or completing the course will result in an NQ score. 6. Handlers cannot berate, bully, intimidate, or otherwise verbally abuse their dog, the Judge, or any person in or around the ring (see Part 5: Section 6. Misconduct/Lack of Sportsmanship, page 18). 7. Handlers cannot curse in the ring. 8. No grabbing, scruffing (grabbing/pulling the skin/hair on the dog s body), shaking, or pulling/holding the dog by the ear(s) or tail is allowed. Scruffing is defined as holding on to the dog, with or without pulling, with fingers closed around hair and/or skin and hair only. a) Dogs may be restrained or pulled back from a tube with hands cupped around the top of the front or rear legs as long as skin is not pinched between fingers. 9. Handlers cannot put their dog on a stay at one end of the tunnel then walk to the other end of the tunnel to call the dog through the tunnel. If the handler incidentally happens to be on the far side of the tunnel while the dog is passing or investigating the other end and wishes to attempt to call the dog through they may. a) Handlers may ask the dog to sit or down in front of the tunnel entrance as long as the handler is directly by the dog s side. Stepping away from the dog in any direction will be considered leaving the dog in a stay. 10. Handlers may use obedience commands to down or sit their dogs on the course and/or for control and/or safety. 11. Handlers may encourage the dog to search certain areas, climb and/or tunnel through voice and/or hand gestures. 12. Handlers cannot deliberately get on hands and knees or lay on the ground in the ring, or try to peer directly into the tube to check for a rat prior to calling a find. 13. Picking up/carrying cannot be used as a punishment/corrective action or if carrying will be physically uncomfortable for the dog (i.e., attempting to carry a larger dog). Carrying should be done in such a way as to be physically comfortable to the dog. Flipping the dog onto its back to remove it from the course is considered a corrective action and will result in an NQ. 14. Dogs cannot be picked up or carried to remove them from a rat tube or lift them down from high places (see Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 and Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s), page 27). 15. Teams who do not successfully find a live rat tube within course time, who indicate an incorrect tube, or who find one or more live rat tubes but do not find the next or final rat tube, are to be taken to the rat tube closest to the dog and praised as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward before exiting the course. Dogs are only shown one rat tube, not every remaining rat tube. 16. Handlers may request to be excused from the course and accept an NQ score (i.e., dog has stopped working, is stressed, or is out of control). 17. Elimination on the course is an NQ (non-qualifying) score for the dog. The dog must be immediately removed from the course and is not allowed to continue. Elimination includes urination, defecation, and/or spitting up/throwing up. Belly bands are not allowed. If a Bitch in Season squats in the ring with the clear motion of peeing, she is to be removed and will receive an NQ score even if the urine does not escape her pants. If a male dog lifts his leg, he may be dismissed even if it is not clear that urine has reached the bale/ground. Section 4. Tunneling The Tunnel effort is completed when the dog enters one end of any Official Tunnel and exits any other end of that tunnel with its entire body, excepting the tail. 1. A dog who enters the tunnel then turns around and comes back out the entrance side has not completed the tunnel. 2. The dog may enter the tunnel from any end, and if there is more than one Official Tunnel on the course, successful completion of any one Official Tunnel counts as the tunneling effort. SECTION 5. Climbing The climb is completed when the dog impacts the top of any bale, including leaner bales, with all four feet. 25

28 Part 8: Performance Guidelines for All Levels 1. Putting only front feet or back feet on the bale does not constitute a climb. 2. Putting one or more feet on a board/construction ramp, or climbing a board ramp but only putting one, two, or three feet on a bale before descending the ramp does not constitute a climb. 3. Jumping a bale without touching the bale or with only incidental touching of the bale such as a brush with a hind foot does not constitute a climb. 4. If a large dog climbs up with front feet and follows with rear feet while one or more front feet come back off to go back to the ground (walking over a bale) that is acceptable as a climbing effort. 5. Climbing only one bale high is acceptable at all class levels. SECTION 6. Marking the Find of the Rat How the dog marks the find of the correct rat tube is only relevant to the handler. The handler calls the find of the rat clearly and unequivocally and the Judge notes that call. 1. The general call is the word RAT. However,if the handler forgets and uses a different call such as ALERT, there is no penalty as long as the call is clear and unequivocal. 2. Calls must be declarative, not questioning. The handler cannot ask the Judge if the call is the correct one (i.e., is this right? or rat? ). It is the handler s responsibility to make the call in such a way that the Judge hears and understands it without question. 3. Dogs are not required to put their nose on a rat tube or be a specific minimum or maximum distance from the rat tube for the handler to call the find. It is only necessary for the dog to indicate the live rat tube to the handler in such a way that the handler understands where the live tube is, and for the handler to make the call and be capable of indicating the correct tube location to the Judge. The handler may call the tube after the dog has left it and/or when the dog is in a different area of the course. 4. If requested by the Judge, the handler must be able to indicate the exact location of the correct live rat tube. 5. Immediately after calling RAT, handlers may touch/restrain the dog, begin to climb on/over bales, and/or touch/ stabilize the tube even prior to the Judge s verbal confirmation or denial of the find. Touching/restraining or climbing before or at the same time as calling RAT will result in an NQ score. The verbal call must come first. SECTION 7. Exiting the Ring Dogs and handlers should exit the ring promptly at the end of each run. 1. Dogs of a size to be comfortably carried may be picked up and carried out of the ring after the completion of the run. 2. The collar and leash must be attached to the dog prior to the exit gate being opened and the dog exiting the enclosure, even if the dog is being carried. The dog tugging on the leash as it is being leashed up prior to exiting the ring is not to be penalized unless the tugging is prolonged and/or so out of control that it may delay the Trial or endanger the Judge, Rat Wranglers, or course. The penalty assessed in that instance would be Lack of Control. 3. Once the run has concluded, no training is allowed in the ring such as asking or attempting to force a dog to climb or tunnel on the way out of the ring. SECTION 8. Special Considerations 1. In Barn Hunt, all dogs are expected to compete in each class with the same general conditions. No special considerations such as asking for special or specific Rat Wranglers, asking that the Rat Wrangler(s) or Judge to turn their backs, not move, leave the ring, or only stand in specific places, etc. are allowed. That includes asking for a Rat Wrangler who is a friend to step out of the ring. a) Other special considerations not allowed include such actions as asking spectators or a photographer to move back for an individual dog, asking for the tub with extra rats to be moved further from the ring for a single dog, etc. It is impossible to describe all possible special consideration scenarios within the scope of these rules, but the intent is to strive for a level playing field for all competitors within a class. 2. Barn Hunt does not specifically cater to aggressive/reactive dogs. All dogs and handlers in Barn Hunt have a right and expectation to safety without the need for special and extraordinary measures. 26

29 QQPart 9: Allowed Praise and Reward Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward SECTION 1. When Praise and Reward is Allowed In all Regular and Non-Regular classes in Barn Hunt, after the dog finds the correct rat tube, the handler may briefly praise and reward the dog. 1. The handler may briefly pet the dog, verbally praise the dog, point at and/or stabilize/touch the tube, move/wiggle the tube gently then follow the steps outlined in Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s). a) Praise and reward is allowed whenever a correct tube is indicated, regardless of whether any/all other elements of the course have been completed. b) The handler may restrain and praise simultaneously, and may call the dog to them for praise. c) The dog cannot be deliberately picked up or carried during Allowed Praise and Reward but can be touched and petted or restrained as outlined in Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s). At least two of the dog s feet must remain in contact with the ground/surface while the handler is touching the dog. If the dog s feet inadvertently leave the ground despite the handler s best efforts there is no penalty if the handler immediately returns the feet to the ground or surface. 2. Dogs who have been assessed a non-qualifying score for being over time or for the handler calling an incorrect tube should be immediately shown a correct live tube and praised as outlined in this section before exiting the course. When being taken to the nearest rat after a non-qualifying score, the dog may be carried/touched/gently guided and/or taken either off or on leash. a) Teams assessed a non-qualifying score due to dog elimination on the course, dog aggression, or handler misconduct must leave the ring immediately and cannot show their dog a correct tube prior to leaving (see Judge Guidelines Part 8: Section 8. When to Dismiss from the Ring, page 55). b) Allowed Praise and Reward is only for live rat tube indication. Teams are not allowed to otherwise train on the course by attempting to tunnel or climb during this period. QQPart 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s) At any class level, if a live rat tube is found before all elements of the course are completed (tunnel, climb, and/or other live rat tubes), after Allowed Praise and Reward the handler may choose to Redirect their dog and leave the live tube in place (or the dog may Self-Redirect); to Remove the live tube with or without physical restraint; or to Restrain the dog and ask the Rat Wrangler to remove the live tube. The handler may choose any of the three options for any of the live tubes on the course; i. e., the handler may Redirect the dog for tube one, Remove the tube for tube two, Restrain the dog for Rat Wrangler removal for tube three, etc. or any other combination of redirection or removal. 1. The Judge does not remove or handle the rat tube while the competitor is being judged. 2. If the handler knows in advance how he/she wishes to handle tube removal, that method can be communicated to the Judge as the handler enters the ring and before release. The handler should not instruct or direct the Rat Wrangler(s) during this initial communication. The Judge can ask but not require that the handler announce the method of removal. 3. If the handler announces one form of removal before the start of the run then changes their mind at the time of the find, there is no penalty assessed. 4. If the live tube is found as the last element of the course, every effort should be made to leave the tube in place if possible. 5. The dog running to the Rat Wrangler/tube as it is removed is not Lack of Control/grounds for an NQ unless the dog interferes with the Rat Wrangler in such a way as to put the rat or Rat Wrangler in danger (trips the wrangler, bounces off the wrangler causing them to lose their balance, etc.) or nips the Rat Wrangler 6. Handlers must be able to remove the tube from the dog without an extended wrestling match/tug of war which could put the rat in danger. Dogs who carry and/or drop any tube and/or who resist releasing any tube to the point where the Judge feels the rat is in imminent danger may be assessed a Lack of Control penalty. Any dog who picks up and shakes any tube is immediately assessed an NQ score. A dog retrieving a tube immediately and gently to hand without shaking or dropping is not necessarily to be penalized. 27

30 Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s) SECTION 1. Removal Method 1: Handler Redirects Dog or Dog Self-Redirects The handler may leave the tube in place and redirect the dog to other elements of the course through hand and/or voice gestures. 1. The handler can still touch/stabilize the tube and praise the dog as allowed in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 prior to Redirecting the dog, or the handler may Redirect the dog without touching the tube and can still briefly touch the dog in praise, or Redirect the dog without touching. 2. Once the handler decides to Redirect the dog without removing the live tube, the live tube is to remain in place even if the dog continues to return to the tube. The handler cannot request that the Judge remove the tube later for cause of distraction of the dog alone. 3. When the dog voluntarily moves away from the tube before the handler can Restrain the dog, that is considered a Dog Self-Redirect. The handler may then either remove the tube and hand it to the Rat Wrangler (see Removal Method 2: Handler Removes the Tube below) or leave the tube in place. The Rat Wrangler will not pick the tube up out of the straw if the dog is not physically restrained. 4. If the dog returns to a tube left in place after a Redirect and works it hard and vigorously in such a way that the Judge feels a rat would be in danger if there is/was a rat in the tube, the handler will be assessed a non-qualifying (NQ) score and the tube safely secured. SECTION 2. Removal Method 2: Handler Removes the Tube The handler may choose to Remove the tube and hand it to the Rat Wrangler for removal from the course. The tube is never handed to the Judge. 1. The handler can still touch/stabilize the tube and praise the dog as allowed in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page The handler may stabilize the tube if needed. 3. The handler cannot pick up the dog to remove the tube. 4. The handler must be able to safely remove the tube without flipping, tipping, or dropping the tube. The handler must control the dog. The dog may be partially or wholly physically and/or verbally restrained, have moved on (see Removal Method 1: Handler Redirects Dog or Dog Self-Redirects), or otherwise be under the handler s control. Praise, tube removal and restraint may be combined (see Removal Method 3: Handler Restrains, the Rat Wrangler Removes the Tube). The live tube must remain horizontal/level while being transitioned from the handler to the Rat Wrangler. a) Once the handler picks up the tube, he/she may briefly show it to the dog but cannot tip, wave in sweeps or move the tube around in any kind of aggressive way. The tube should be handed off to the Rat Wrangler smoothly and promptly. b) The Rat Wrangler will not take a tube if the dog is leaping up or otherwise interfering with the tube or Rat Wrangler. The dog s teeth must be at least two feet away from the tube for the Rat Wrangler to accept it from the handler. 5. If the rat tube is at a height where the handler must brace a hand and/or foot or climb on or step over a bale to remove the rat, the handler may do so. 6. If close to a fence or if an inside RW is not nearby, the handler may hand the tube directly out of the ring but cannot choose this method as a special consideration training aid (i.e., cannot hand all tubes out of the ring as a way of not having inside RWs move.) a) Handlers who lift the tube out of the ring take responsibility for the rat during that period, ensuring the outside RW will not fumble or drop the tube. 7. If the handler does not feel confident about being able to safely remove the tube, the handler must restrain the dog and ask the Rat Wrangler to remove the tube (See Removal Method 3). 8. Dogs nipping/biting the handler or Rat Wrangler during removal of the tube are NQd and immediately dismissed from the course, but are not necessarily to be disqualified due to Dog Aggression. SECTION 3. Removal Method 3: Handler Restrains, the Rat Wrangler Removes the Tube The Rat Wrangler may remove the rat tube. Handlers should choose this option even with a compliant dog if they feel they could not brace a hand/foot and/or climb on/over a bale in order to reach a higher tube for safe removal. 28

31 Part 11: Scoring Guidelines 1. In order for the Rat Wrangler to remove any tube(s) from the straw, the dog must be restrained with its teeth a minimum of two feet from the tube, or at whatever distance is required for the Rat Wrangler to have safe, unimpeded access. a) The RW will automatically step forward; the handler does not need to call the RW, only restrain their dog. b) If the handler releases or redirects the dog before the tube has been removed from the straw, the RW will leave the tube in place. 2. The handler may choose to call the dog to be restrained. The dog must come as directly as it safely can to the handler for restraint. If the dog instead moves away from the handler to explore other areas of the course, it is considered a Dog Self-Redirect (see Removal Method 1: Handler Redirects Dog or Dog Self-Redirects). The handler may then choose to leave the tube or immediately pick up the tube as in Removal Method 2: Handler Removes the Tube. 3. The handler can still touch/stabilize the tube and praise the dog as allowed in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 prior to moving the dog back so the RW can remove the tube. a) If the RW moves in to remove the tube prior to the end of the brief praise period or before the dog is properly restrained, the handler may politely tell the RW to wait. 4. The handler cannot deliberately pick up the dog, but may place one or both hands flat on the dog s chest and/or one or both arms loosely around the neck or torso with a hand or hands on the chest. At least two of the dog s feet must remain in contact with the ground/surface at all times while the handler is touching the dog. If the dogs feet inadvertently leave the ground despite the handler s best efforts there is no penalty if the handler immediately returns the feet to the ground or surface. 5. Handlers may physically turn their dog away from the Rat Wrangler to facilitate safe removal and/or move/scoot the dog into a safer place on the course while restraining (i.e., to prevent the dog from being at a risk for falling when released). Handlers cannot move-scoot the dog to a specific place on the course to get an advantage. 6. The dog must remain restrained until the Rat Wrangler is safe. Only the handler can determine, based on the individual dog s personality, when the Rat Wrangler is safe. Neither the Rat Wrangler nor the Judge will verbally mark when the rat has left the ring. Section 4. Releasing the Dog after Restraint After praise and reward, once the handler feels the Rat Wrangler is safe, the handler may turn the dog in place to point a specific direction, but cannot scoot/walk the dog forward prior to release in order to get an advantage (i.e., closer to the tunnel). The handler cannot bowl the dog to release from restraint. QQPart 11: Scoring Guidelines SECTION 1. Qualifying (Q) Scores A team receives a qualifying score/leg toward a Barn Hunt title at a Licensed Trial when all of the requirements of the entered level/course are completed within the set standard course time for that level/course without incurring any errors which would result in an NQ (see Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles, page 30 and Part 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles, page 35). Dogs do not have to earn a placement (first through fourth place) in any class in order to receive a qualifying score. Qualifying scores at Fun Tests do not count toward any Barn Hunt title and are not listed in the Barn Hunt Register. SECTION 2. Ties In the event of two dogs of the same height and level completing the course in the exact same amount of time, where the outcome of the tie would result in a placement of first through fourth, there will be a tiebreaker. 1. One live rat tube is hidden on the existing course that was used in the class where the tie occurred The tube is hidden in the same location for both dogs. 2. No litter or dry tube will be on the course. 3. Each dog is brought into the course separately. 4. Time starts when any part of the handler or dog leaves the start box. No climbing or tunneling effort is required. 5. The team whose handler correctly indicates the live tube in the shortest time wins the tie. 6. Crazy 8s class does not have placements and is not eligible for tie-breakers. 29

32 Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles SECTION 3. Non-Qualifying (NQ) Scores A Non Qualifying (NQ) score will be assessed for teams who do not meet the minimum criteria for each class level and/ or who do not meet the criteria of the rules as written. Section 4. Penalties 1. False Start. Handlers and/or dogs who leave the start box before being directed to/released by the Judge are assessed a 20 second penalty, to be added to their time at the end of the run. A second false start in the same run is assessed an NQ score. 2. Stalling, handler error. If a dog is vigorously working any tube (live, litter, or empty) in such a manner that if that tube was occupied by a rat, the rat would be in danger, and the handler fails to call Rat or, alternately, redirect the dog to search elsewhere within a reasonable amount of time, the Judge may assess a penalty of Stalling. The first incidence of Stalling is assessed a 10 second penalty. The second incidence of Stalling in the same run is assessed an NQ Score. Stalling may also be called if a handler excessively delays at the start after the judge has instructed the handler to exit the start box and begin the hunt. a) The stalling penalty is not assessed for a dog vigorously working a tube, but rather for a handler delaying a call and failing to take action to stabilize the tube in a reasonable amount of time and ensure the safety of the rat. A dog working a tube in a way that does not endanger the rat (i.e., scooting the tube in a straight line across the floor without turning or spinning) should not be called for Stalling. b) The reasonable amount of time will vary based on how the dog is working the tube. 3. Lack of Control. Lack of Control can be assessed if the handler demonstrates an inability to control their dog in a timely manner. Examples include but are not limited to; if the dog refuses to be caught within a reasonable amount of time during an attempt to restrain or after a run, grabs and runs away with a tube, takes a tube into a tunnel and does not emerge, will not allow the handler to remove the tube from its mouth, etc. Judges should give handlers some time to get their dog under control, but if the rat is in danger and/or if the dog refuses to be caught and is unduly delaying the Trial, the Judge will call a Lack of Control error. a) For Instinct and Novice, a Lack of Control error is assessed a 10 second penalty for the first instance during a run and an NQ for a second instance. b) For Open and above, any Lack of Control error is an NQ. SECTION 5. Disqualifications Disqualifications are actions which may result in dismissal from Trial and/or any/all upcoming Events. These include: 1. Dog aggression. 2. Unsportsmanlike behavior or misconduct. 3. Intentional double handling or cheating. 4. Failure to report bitch in season. QQPart 12: Regular Classes and Titles SECTION 1. Moving Up, Lateral Moves, Moving Down 1. Any dog completing a Novice, Open, Senior, or Master title may opt to either move up to the A class at the next level (for Novice through Senior) or move laterally into the B class at the level in which they just attained their title, and thus become eligible for Level X titles (see Part 14: Ribbons and Placements, page 37 for descriptions of available placements). Dogs also may move down and enter any B level class they are eligible to enter. As an example, a dog attaining a Senior title from Senior A (RATS) may choose to move up to Master A, laterally to Senior B, or down to either Novice B or Open B. a) Once in Master B, the type of qualifying score is determined by time and by current title level. See Section 6. Master Barn Hunt (RATM, RATMX, RATCH, RATCHX), page 34. b) Dogs may enter only one class level per Event. If the Club allows move-ups, a dog finishing a title from the A class may move either laterally into the B class at the same level, or up to the A class at the next level. c) Dogs cannot enter multiple classes in the same Trial (i.e., a dog cannot be entered in both Novice B and Open A at the same Trial). 30

33 Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles d) Dogs cannot be entered in a class they are not yet eligible to enter. e) Dogs cannot move down during an Event, but may move down at the next Event they enter. CLASS TYPE AND ELIGIBILITY FOR ENTRY FLOW CHART, REGULAR CLASSES Class #Qs Title INSTINCT NOVICE A 1 3 RATI RATN Can enter either Class NOVICE B #Qs 10 Title RATNX OPEN A 3 RATO OPEN B 10 RATOX SENIOR A 3 RATS SENIOR B 10 RATSX MASTER A 5 RATM MASTER B 10+ RATMX RATCH RATCHX SECTION 2. Barn Hunt Instinct (RATI) 1. Prerequisite: None. Dogs may enter this class and Novice A in the same Trial. Dogs may continue to enter this class until the Novice title (RATN) is attained. Dogs with a RATN or above cannot enter Instinct. An Instinct pass is not required to enter Novice. Dogs pre-entered in both Novice and Instinct who finish the Novice title during the event can continue to show in Instinct for that event only, even if they choose to move up. 2. Course time allowed: One minute. 3. Number of Qualifying Legs Required: One, under one Judge. 4. Number/Type of Tubes on the course: One empty tube, one litter tube, one rat tube. 5. Required elements within course time allowed: Correctly indicate the tube with the rat. 6. Summary: RATI is an optional class for any dog without a Barn Hunt Novice (RATN) title. RATI is a set course (see Appendix A: RATI Course Construction, page 59). The three tubes will be placed secured and uncovered in plain sight on the course. While the course is set up in such a way that tunneling and climbing are difficult to avoid, the purpose of RATI is correct identification of the live rat tube. A dog who avoids the tunnel/climb yet finds the rat will be marked as a passing effort for RATI. Time starts when the dog leaves the start box. Time ends when the handler indicates a rat tube. SECTION 3. Novice Barn Hunt: (RATN, RATNX) Novice A (RATN) 1. Eligibility Criteria: Any dog may enter Novice A if that dog has not yet attained the Novice title (RATN). Dogs entering Novice A may, but are not required to, have an Instinct title. 2. Course time allowed: Two minutes. 3. Number of Qualifying Scores Required: Three, under one or more Judges. 31

34 Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles 4. Start Box location: One flat side not less than three nor more than four feet from the opening to an Official Tunnel. 5. Number/Type of Tubes on the course: One empty tube, one litter tube, one rat tube. At least one tube of any type must be elevated. All tubes may be elevated (also see Part 7: Section 6. Rat Tube Locations, page 22). 6. Tunnel Requirements: The tunnel is straight and consists of two bales placed sideways across boards for safe step-downs (see Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design, page 45). At least one Official Tunnel is at ground level. There can be more than one Official Tunnel. 7. Bale height requirements: There must be at least two and not more than three different places on the course where a minimum of two adjacent bales are placed two-high in a single area so that a rat tube can be safely hidden along the top of the two-high bales without it dislodging or rolling. Leaner bales (either from Level 1 to 2, or at Level 2) count for the two-bale minimum as long as there is at least one adjacent bale placed flat at that height. 8. Required elements within course time allowed: Execute a climb. Execute an Official Tunnel. Correctly indicate one live Rat tube. 9. Summary: Time starts when the dog and/or handler exits the start box. Time stops when the dog/handler indicates the rat and has executed both a tunneling and climbing effort. The required elements can be achieved in any order. If all other elements are not complete when the correct rat tube is indicated, the handler proceeds as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 and Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s), page 27. If the dog/handler indicate the incorrect tube or run out of time before finding the live tube, the dog is NQd but will be immediately escorted to the nearest live tube, shown the tube, and briefly praised as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward before leaving the course. Novice B (RATNX) 1. Eligibility Criteria: Dogs may enter Novice B once they have attained a RATN or any level title above a RATN. 2. Number of Qualifying Scores Required: 10, under a minimum of two Judges. Multiples of RATNX may be acquired. Each time a dog achieves 10 more qualifying scores from the Novice B class, a number will be appended to this title. 20 qualifying scores will be awarded RATNX2, 30 qualifying scores will be awarded RATNX3, etc. All other rules and elements are identical to those in the Novice A class. Novice A and Novice B dogs compete on the same course though they are placed separately (see Part 14: Ribbons and Placements, page 37). Novice B dogs can be blinded in the same blinds as Novice A dogs. Section 4. Open Barn Hunt: (RATO, RATOX) Open A (RATO) 1. Eligibility Criteria: Any dog may enter Open A any time after attaining the Novice title of RATN and prior to completion of the Open title, RATO. 2. Course time allowed: Two minutes 30 seconds. 3. Number of Qualifying Legs Required: Three, under one or more Judges. 4. Start Box location: Anywhere on the course. The area from the entrance gate to the start box must be handicapped accessible. 5. Number/Type of Tubes on the course: One empty tube, two litter tubes, two rat tubes. At least one live rat tube must be elevated. All tubes may be elevated (also see Part 7: Section 6. Rat Tube Locations, page 22). 6. Tunnel Requirements: The tunnel must have one 90 degree turn and the exit cannot be readily visible from the entrance; the tunnel must look dark (see Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design, page 45). The tunnel cannot have more than two entry/exit openings. At least one Official Tunnel must be at ground level. There can be more than one Official Tunnel. 7. Bale height requirements: There must be a minimum of three different places on the course where at least two adjacent bales are stacked two-high so that a rat tube can be safely hidden along the top of the two-high bales without dislodging or rolling. A group of five or more bales at two-high in a single location can count as two areas. Leaner bales (either from Level 1 to 2, or at Level 2) count for the two-bale minimum as long as there is at least one adjacent bale placed flat at that height. 8. Required elements within course time allowed: Execute a climb. Execute an Official Tunnel. Correctly indicate two live Rat tubes. 9. Summary: Time starts when the dog and/or handler exits the start box. Time stops when the dog/handler has indicated both live rat tubes and has executed both the tunneling and climbing effort. The required elements can be 32

35 Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles achieved in any order. After indication of a live rat tube, the handler proceeds as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 and Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s), page 27. If the dog/handler indicate an incorrect tube or run out of time before finding all of the live tubes, the dog is NQ but will be immediately escorted to the closest live tube, shown the tube, and briefly praised as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward before exiting the course. Dogs are only to be shown one live tube and are not allowed to find all remaining live tubes after they are NQ. Open B (RATOX) 1. Eligibility Criteria: Dogs may enter Open B once they have attained a RATO or any level title above a RATO. 2. Number of Qualifying Scores Required: 10, under a minimum of two Judges. Multiples of RATOX may be acquired. Each time a dog achieves 10 more qualifying scores from the Open B class, a number will be appended to this title. 20 qualifying scores will be awarded RATOX2, 30 qualifying scores will be awarded RATOX3, etc. All other rules and elements are identical to those in the Open A class. Open A and Open B dogs compete on the same course though they are placed separately (see Part 14: Ribbons and Placements, page 37). Open B dogs can be in the same blinds as Open A dogs. SECTION 5. Senior Barn Hunt (RATS, RATSX) Senior A (RATS) 1. Eligibility Criteria: Dogs may enter Senior A any time after they have attained the Open title of RATO, and may compete in Senior A until they receive the Senior title, RATS. 2. Course time allowed: Three minutes 30 seconds. 3. Number of Qualifying Legs Required: Three, under one or more Judges. 4. Start Box location: Anywhere on the course. The area from the entrance gate to the start box must be handicapped accessible. 5. Number/Type of Tubes on the course: One empty tube, three litter tubes, four rat tubes. All tubes may be elevated, at ground level, or any combination of the two. While not required in every blind, some tube locations in this class will be moderately challenging (also see Part 7: Section 6. Rat Tube Locations, page 22). 6. Tunnel Requirements: The tunnel must have a minimum of two and a maximum of three 90 turns. The tunnel may have multiple entry/exit openings, as long as a dog entering any opening will have completed the required number of turns prior to exiting any other opening (i.e., a Novice tunnel cannot be nested inside a Senior tunnel). The tunnel must appear dark. The tunnel cannot contain blind alleys, areas inside the tunnel which do not lead to an exit (see Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design, page 45). The tunnel must appear dark. The official tunnel may be either on the ground or elevated. There can be more than one Official Tunnel on the course. 7. Bale height requirements: There must be at least one place on the course where a minimum of two adjacent bales are stacked three-high in such a way that a rat tube can be safely hidden along the top of the three-high bales without it dislodging or rolling. Leaner bales (either from Level 2 to 3, or at Level 3) count for the two-bale minimum as long as there is at least one adjacent bale placed flat at that height. 8. Required elements within course time allowed: Execute a climb. Execute an Official Tunnel. Correctly indicate four live Rat tubes. 9. Summary: Time starts when the dog and/or handler exits the start box. Time stops when the dog/handler has indicated all four live rat tubes and has executed both the tunneling and climbing effort. The required elements can be achieved in any order. After indication of a live rat tube, the handler proceeds as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 and Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s), page 27. If the dog/handler indicate an incorrect tube or run out of time before finding all of the live tubes, the dog is NQd but will be immediately escorted to the closest live tube, shown the tube, and briefly praised as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward before exiting the course. Dogs are only to be shown one live tube and are not allowed to find all remaining live tubes after they are NQd. Senior B (RATSX) 1. Eligibility Criteria: Dogs may enter Senior B once they have attained a RATS or any level title above a RATS. 2. Number of Qualifying Scores Required: 10, under a minimum of two Judges. Multiples of RATSX may be acquired. Each time a dog achieves 10 more qualifying scores from the Senior B class, a number will be appended to this title. 20 qualifying scores will be awarded RATSX2, 30 qualifying scores will be awarded RATSX3, etc. 33

36 Part 12: Regular Classes and Titles All other rules and elements are identical to those in the Senior A class. Senior A and Senior B dogs compete on the same course though they are placed separately (see Part 14: Ribbons and Placements, page 37). Senior B dogs can be in the same blinds as Senior A dogs. SECTION 6. Master Barn Hunt (RATM, RATMX, RATCH, RATCHX) Master A (RATM) 1. Eligibility Criteria: Dogs may enter Master A any time after they have attained the Senior title of RATS, and may compete in Master A until they receive the Master title, RATM. 2. Course time allowed: Four minutes 30 seconds. 3. Number of Qualifying Legs Required: Five, under two or more different Judges. 4. Start Box location: Anywhere on the course. The area from the entrance gate to the start box must be handicapped accessible. 5. Number/Type of Tubes on the course: 8 tubes. One to five tubes will have rats. All tubes without rats will have litter. The number of rat tubes to litter tubes will change with every competitor. Any/all live tubes may either be on the ground or elevated or a mix of both. For each blind all 8 tubes remain in the same location, with only the number of live versus litter tubes changing for each dog. The extra four tubes are used to swap out rats and litter. Between blinds, all 8 tubes are moved. While not required in every blind, some tube locations in this class will be challenging with close discrimination required between tubes. Rat tubes in this class may be placed so as to pose a challenge to the handler in that depending on course design, the dog may need to work away from the handler in an area the handler cannot step into prior to the rat call (also see Part 7: Section 6. Rat Tube Locations, page 22). 6. Tunnel requirements: The tunnel must have a minimum of two 90 turns and may have a maximum of five 90 turns. The tunnel may have multiple entry/exit openings, as long as a dog entering any opening will have completed the minimum number of turns prior to exiting any other opening (i.e., a Novice tunnel cannot be nested inside a Master tunnel). The tunnel cannot contain blind alleys, areas inside the tunnel which do not lead to an exit. The Master tunnel must appear dark (see Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design, page 45). The Official Tunnel may be either on the ground or elevated. There can be more than one Official Tunnel. 7. Bale Height Requirements: There must be at least two places on the course where a minimum of two adjacent bales are stacked three-high in such a way that a rat tube can be safely hidden along the top of the three-high bales without it dislodging or rolling. A group of five or more bales at three -high in a single location can count as two areas. Leaner bales (either from Level 2 to 3, or at Level 3) count for the two-bale minimum as long as there is at least one adjacent bale placed flat at that height. 8. Required elements within course time allowed: Execute a climb. Execute an Official Tunnel. Correctly indicate to the Judge when all live rat tubes have been found. The typical term is CLEAR. While the word CLEAR is not required, the handler must inform the judge in a declarative, unequivocal manner that all rats have been found. Even if there are five rats on the course the handler must declare the course clear of rats. A handler may choose to declare the course clear of rats then ask the dog to complete another required element such as a tunnel. 9. Special Master Staging and Rat/Litter Tube Changes: Competitors are staged in each Master blind in groups of 3, 4, or 5. The Club, with Judge input, determines the optimal number of blind participants for that Event based on entries, Judge preference, etc. The number of competitors per blind must be published and/or posted and announced in the general briefing. Once published and/or posted and announced, the Master staging group size must stay the same for that entire Event, allowing for smaller blind-group sizes as needed to accommodate conflicts and odd numbers. 10. Summary: Time starts when the dog and/or handler exits the start box. Time stops when the dog/handler has correctly indicated all live rat tubes, has declared the course clear of rats, and has executed both the Tunneling and Climbing effort. After indication of a live rat tube, the handler can proceed as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward, page 27 and Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s), page 27. If the dog/handler indicate an incorrect tube, run out of time before finding all of the live tubes, or the handler indicates all the tubes are found when there are still unfound live tubes on the course, the dog is NQ but should be immediately escorted to the closest live tube, shown the tube, and briefly praised as outlined in Part 9: Allowed Praise and Reward before exiting the course. Dogs are only to be shown one live tube and are not allowed to find any remaining live tubes after they are NQ. Handlers who have NQd can request to know the number of live tubes on the course. NOTE: Until the B class changes are implemented, progression toward the RATCH and RATCHX titles remain as specified in the 2014 rules. 34

37 Part 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles Master B (RATMX, RATCH, RATCHX) 1. In Master B, the course time is 4:30 for all dogs. The type of qualifying score the dog earns depends on the recorded time from the stop watch and the dog s current title level. The Master blinding rules apply to all Master competitors and blinds need not be split by Master B class type or between Master A and Master B. There are no separate ribbons/placements required for RATMX, RATCH or RATCHX scores. The Trial software and Register will automatically sort scores into the correct qualifying score category. a) All current RATCH and RATCHX qualifying scores and titles will be grandfathered, and competitors with RATCH and RATCHX and above scores/titles earned prior to the implementation date will keep those scores and titles. Any new scores earned after the implementation date will be awarded according to the criteria outlined in this section. All dogs with a RATM title on the date of implementation will enter Master B for all future Trials. b) Dogs will receive credit toward only one title per run, based on the highest title available given the dog s run time and current title level (i.e., a dog cannot earn both a RATCH and RATMX qualifying score simultaneously, but may receive a RATCH score in Trial 1 and a RATMX score in Trial 2 depending on the dog s actual time.) c) Judges will not share the team s exact time but will announce at the conclusion of each run if the team is 4 minutes or under, or 3:30 or under. d) All times are rounded down to the nearest second. A score of 4:00.59 is rounded down to 4: RATMX: All dogs completing Master B with a qualifying score in a time of 4:01 or over will receive a RATMX score. 10 qualifying scores under at least two Judges are required for the RATMX. 20 qualifying scores will be awarded a RATMX2, etc. 3. RATCH: All dogs in the Master B class who do not yet have a RATCH title and who receive a qualifying score in a time of 4:00 or less will receive a qualifying RATCH score. 10 qualifying scores under at least two Judges are required for the RATCH. 20 qualifying scores will be awarded a RATCH2, etc. a) Once the RATCH is attained, RATCH2 and above qualifying scores are awarded when a dog has a time between 3:31 and 4: RATCHX: Dogs are not eligible for RATCHX scores until the RATCH is completed. All dogs in the Master B class who have attained a RATCH title and who receive a qualifying score in 3:30 or less will receive a qualifying RATCHX score. 10 qualifying scores under at least two Judges are required for the RATCHX. 20 qualifying scores will be awarded a RATCHX2, etc. All other rules and elements are identical to those in the Master A class. Master A and Master B dogs compete on the same course though they are placed separately (see Ribbons). Master B dogs can be in the same blinds as Master A dogs. QQPart 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles SECTION 1. Crazy 8s Class Crazy 8s is a Non-Regular class, and as such is not required to be offered at any Licensed Trial or Fun Match. Clubs electing to hold Crazy 8s class may do so at any time during the Trial/Match day that best suits the flow of the Trial/Match. Crazy 8s classes held at Trials are titling. Crazy 8s classes held at Fun Matches do not count toward Crazy 8s titles. Clubs may limit Crazy 8s class entries (i.e., 20 entries, etc.) 1. Prerequisite: None. Dogs do not have to have any other Barn Hunt title to enter Crazy 8s. Dogs are not required to have a Barn Hunt Registration number to enter Crazy 8s at a Fun Match but must have a Barn Hunt Registration number to enter a titling Crazy 8s class at a Licensed Trial. 2. Course Time: 2 minutes. 3. Course Size: Senior/Master sized course. Judges/Clubs may opt to use an existing Senior or Master course, modified as specified below, for Crazy 8s. 4. Start box: The Start Box may be anywhere on the course. The area from the entry gate to the start box must be handicapped accessible. 5. Tunnel: At least one Official tunnel with 2-5 turns. Any number of optional tunnels. Any tunnel with fewer than two turns will not count for the tunnel effort. Official tunnels may be at ground level or elevated. 35

38 Part 13: Non-Regular Classes and Titles 6. Bales: At least one area on the course with bales 2 high. Bales cannot be higher than 2 high. Bale numbers are to be consistent with Senior or above challenges. If deconstructing a Senior or Master course for Crazy 8s, remove the bales at 3 high and use them where possible to add areas of 1 and 2 high bales to increase overall hide areas. 7. Ramps, boards, and bridges: At least one wooden/constructed ramp must be used from the ground level to a first level bale. Any number of boards and/or bridges may be used. All Board/ramp/bridge specifications from Senior/ Master apply to Crazy 8s. 8. Tubes: Eight live rat tubes. Four litter tubes. At least one live rat tube must be elevated. 9. Staff: One Judge, 2 inside Rat Wranglers, 2-4 outside Rat Wranglers. 10. Blinding/Staging: Competitors may be blinded in groups of 3, 4, or 5 depending on entry and in accordance with current Master blind rules. Scoring All general BH rules apply. Special scoring is: points per correct rat call points for tunnel points for climb. 4. Points are acquired until all rats are found and tunnel and climb are completed, or until Time is called. A Clean Race is 100 points (all rats plus climb and tunnel) in two minutes or less. A Clean Race which is completed in 1:45 or less (rounded down to the nearest second) earns a bonus of 5 points. The Judge will call BONUS. A Clean Race which is completed in 1:30 or less earns a second bonus of 5 points. The Judge will call SUPER BONUS. No more than 10 total bonus points per run are allowed. Total possible points per run are Penalties (in addition to all general Barn hunt penalties) are: 6. Failure to Tunnel -20 points. 7. Failure to climb -20 points. 8. First incorrect rat call (litter or no tube) -20 points. 9. No rats found or Second incorrect rat call (litter or no tube) NQ score (dog shown a rat before exit). 10. Any dog which finds at least one rat and has a cumulative score above zero when time is called gets a Qualifying score. Zero and negative scores are not used. Judging and Faults 1. When judging Crazy 8s, all regular Barn Hunt rules apply with the exceptions noted in this document. Rats are to be called by number, (i.e., Rat 1, Rat 2 etc.) until all rats are found or time runs out. 2. If a handler calls an incorrect (litter) tube, the first incidence is a Fault with a penalty of -20 points, but the handler may continue on with a chance to acquire more points by finding more rats. The Judge must call FAULT. The litter tube must stay in place and is not removed from the course. If a handler calls a second litter tube (or the first tube a second time), the handler is NQd and must leave the ring. The dog should briefly be shown a rat prior to exiting the ring and the handler allowed to praise the dog as allowed in regular Barn Hunt rules. 3. If the dog reaches the time of two minutes without finding all rats, the dog should briefly be shown a rat prior to exiting the ring and the handler allowed to praise the dog as allowed in regular Barn Hunt rules. 4. There are no tie-breakers allowed in Crazy 8s. Titles See Part 14: Ribbons and Placements, 9. page 38. for ribbon information for Crazy 8s 1. CZ8B: Crazy 8s Bronze, 500 points accumulated. 2. CZ8S: Crazy 8s Silver, CZ8B plus 500 points for a total of 1000 points. 3. CZ8G: Crazy 8s Gold, CZ8S plus 500 points for a total of 1,500 points. 4. CZ8P: Crazy 8s Platinum, CZ8G plus 500 points for a total of 2000 points. After the dog reaches the Platinum level, further titles are earned in 500 point increments. A dog with 2500 for example, is awarded Crazy 8s Platinum Bronze, or CZ8PB, and so on. Double Platinum will be abbreviated as CZ8P2. 36

39 Part 14: Ribbons and Placements SECTION 2. National Championship Titles The following titles are available only at the Barn Hunt National competition. 1. RGC: Games Champion. This title is awarded to the dog who receives the Gold Medal in Games competition at any Barn Hunt National. 2. RVC: Versatility Champion. This title is awarded to the dog who receives the Gold Medal in Versatility competition at any Barn Hunt National 3. RGNC: Grand National Champion. This title is awarded to the dog who receives the Gold Medal in the Grand National at any Barn Hunt National. These titles are prefix titles and will appear before the dog s registered name in the Barn Hunt record and on Barn Hunt certificates. Only three dogs per year will receive the title, and that title will always be reserved only for Gold Medal winners at the National. In the case of a dog repeating as a Gold Medal winner at the National, a number designation will be appended to the title (i.e., RGNC2). TITLE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY TABLE Class Title # Q Scores Minimum # Judges SCT Bale Height Tunnel Turns # Rats # Litter # Clean Instinct RATI 1 1 1: Novice A RATN 3 1 Novice B RATNX : Open A RATO 3 1 Open B RATOX : Senior A RATS 3 1 Senior B RATSX : Master A RATM 5 4:30 RATMX 4:30 2 Master B RATCH 10 4: RATCHX 3:30 CZ8B 500 pts 1000 CZ8S pts Crazy 8s 2 2: Cz8G 1500 pts Cz8P 2000 pts QQPart 14: Ribbons and Placements 1. Ribbons are awarded to all dogs with qualifying scores at Barn Hunt Trials. Ribbons must be imprinted on the front side with the BHA logo and the Club/organization name. The date of the Event and any information such as dog name, class, qualifying time, etc. must be available for all qualifying ribbons. A label affixed to the back of the ribbon or labels available to attach to a ribbon is satisfactory. 2. Qualifying ribbons are awarded for each qualifying score in all classes at Barn Hunt Trials. Qualifying ribbons are flat and dark brown with bronze or gold metallic type. The Barn Hunt logo is required. Club logos are optional. 3. Instinct Classes receive Qualifying ribbons for all qualifiers. Placement ribbons are not awarded in Instinct. 4. Placement Ribbons for A Level Regular Classes are awarded to first through fourth place in each of the three height divisions for Novice, Open, Senior, and Master classes at Barn Hunt Trials. It is recommended but not required that Clubs use Rosettes for at least first place, and if possible for all placement ribbons. First Place Ribbon: Blue Second Place Ribbon: Red 37

40 Part 14: Ribbons and Placements Third Place Ribbon: Yellow Fourth Place Ribbon: White 5. High in Class ribbons for A Level classes may be awarded at for all Regular Classes at Barn Hunt Trials. Each ribbon shall be imprinted with the specific award or, optionally, a single rosette type may be offered with a flag or tag that can be stapled to it with the appropriate title designation. The abbreviation for this designation is HIC. High in Class Novice A: This shall be awarded to the fastest dog out of all heights in the RATN class High in Class Open A: This shall be awarded to the fastest dog out of all heights in the RATO class High in Class Senior A: This shall be awarded to the fastest dog out of all heights in the RATS class High in Class Master A: This shall be awarded to the fastest dog out of all heights in the RATM class 6. Ribbons for B Level classes are awarded as follows to first through fourth place regardless of height (one set of placement ribbons for all heights combined in the B classes; there are no placements by height). First Place Ribbon: Blue Second Place Ribbon: Red Third Place Ribbon: Yellow Fourth Place Ribbon: White 7. High in Class ribbons for B Level classes may be awarded at Barn Hunt Trials, either in addition to, or in place of, the blue First place ribbon. Each ribbon shall be imprinted with the specific award or, optionally, a single rosette type may be offered with a flag or tag that can be stapled to it with the appropriate title designation. The abbreviation for this designation is HICB. 8. Additionally, Clubs may choose to award a Reserve High in Class B either in addition to, or in place of, the second place ribbon from the B class. The abbreviation for this designation is RHICB. 9. Crazy 8s Classes receive Qualifying ribbons for all Qualifiers. Multiple dogs with the same score are likely and tie breakers are not allowed, therefore placement and/or High In Class ribbons are not allowed in Crazy 8s. Optional Clean Race and/or BONUS tokens/ribbons may be awarded. 10. New Title/Championship ribbons may be awarded to any team attaining a new title in any Regular or Non-Regular class. 11. Other ribbons/prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the Club such as High <breed> in Novice, Oldest Dog, Judges Choice, etc. All special ribbons/prizes must be listed in the Premium. 12. Fun Test placement ribbons may be awarded at Barn Hunt Fun Tests. If placement ribbons are offered at Fun Tests, they must be clearly imprinted with the words Fun Test in all capital letters. Regular placement ribbons used for Licensed Trials can not be used for Fun Tests. Qualifying ribbons are not offered at Fun Tests. 38

41 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 1: Overview QQPart 1: Overview An efficient, capable, friendly, and supportive Judge is key to the success of Barn Hunt. The Judge is the public face of the sport, and the person competitors most easily remember and identify with. It is the Judge s job to design and implement level-appropriate courses and run his/her ring in a professional and sportsmanlike way, reflecting well on the sport and the BHA administration. Judges must exhibit good course design skills. Judges must be fair and impartial. Judges must communicate with show giving Clubs/groups in a timely and courteous manner. Judges must be on time and ready to Judge in accordance to the Club s schedule. Judges must always be cognizant that their demeanor and professionalism will shape the experience of spectators, Trial staff, and competitors in the sport of Barn Hunt. Even when not in an active judging role, Judges must always be above reproach in how they deal with others in connection with the sport. Judges are role models for Barn Hunt. QQPart 2: Becoming a Judge There are a number of steps on the path to becoming a Judge. These steps are structured to ensure Judges are fully prepared, capable, and comfortable assuming a primary role in the success of a Trial. Part of the Judge approval process is analytical and procedural (i.e., handling a dog to a certain title, passing the written test), and part is subjective (review of performance as a provisional, other input). There will be a review process at each step. SECTION 1. Step One: Application and Experience 1. Must have personally handled at least one dog to a Senior title (RATS). 2. Must accurately complete and submit a Judge Application (available on the Barn Hunt Register). The application may be opened and saved any number of times as the Judge candidate accrues experience toward their license. Experience can be used up to a calendar year previous, and each candidate has a calendar year from first starting to acquire experience to submit their application. Prior to submitting the application, the Judge candidate must: a) Accrue a minimum of 150 points as a Fun Test Judge. Have the Club fill out the Prospective Judge Fun Test Review form for inclusion in the application. Judging as many dogs/hours in one Event as possible will reflect positively on application when sent for review since it will more fully replicate the actual judging experience. Crazy 8s experience is encouraged but not required. The Fun Test point system is as follows: FUN TEST POINTS ACCRUAL REQUIREMENTS Class Instinct Novice Open Senior Master Crazy 8s Minimum Number of Dogs Required in each Class Points Per Dog Judged Minimum Number of Points Required in each Class Total Points 150 (120 from the 5 classes + 30 pts from classes and/or Crazy 8s) b) Log a minimum of two Event days as an Apprentice Judge under a Judge Mentor or other approved Judge (two or more preferred). Apprentice Judges cannot take on other roles at the Event which would conflict with watching the Judge/apprenticing, and must submit all Apprentice Judge forms at the time of application submittal. This experience can be cumulative but optimally will consist of two, eight-hour apprentice days. Apprentices stand outside the ring and practice-judge while filling out the Apprentice Judge Scoresheet. They stay ringside and are considered on duty, at all times the Judge is in the ring. The Judge will work directly with the apprentice offering feedback, answering questions, etc. The Judge will then fill out and give a copy of the Apprentice Judge Trial Review form to the Apprentice Judge which will be submitted, along with the Apprentice Judge Scoresheet, with the application. Judges may accept up to two Apprentice Judges per day. Apprentice Judges cannot show a dog on any Trial date where they are working as an Apprentice Judge. 39

42 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 2: Becoming a Judge c) Log a minimum of 8 classes as a Scribe, including scribing at least once in all Regular classes, and submit the Prospective Judge Scribe Review Form. Scribing for Crazy 8s is not required but may be included and may reflect positively on the application review. Scribing experience can be cumulative. d) Log a minimum of 8 hours as an inside Rat Wrangler, including acting as inside Rat Wrangler at least once in all Regular classes and submit the Prospective Judge Rat Wrangler Reivew Form. Wrangling for Crazy 8s is not required but may be included and may reflect positively on the application review. This experience can be cumulative. e) Attend a Judge Workshop in a working slot. (Note, anyone attending a Judge Workshop in 2015 with either a working or auditing slot may count that Workshop toward this criteria if the application is submitted prior to December 31, 2016). 3. Submit application with required attachments. Support letters and other documentation may also be attached to the application. SECTION 2. Step Two: Written Test After the application is submitted, the Judge candidate will be sent a link to a written test. This is an online, closed book, multiple choice and true/false test. Any score of 90% or above on the test will qualify the Judge candidate to move forward to the next step. The test may be taken a total of two times and may be taken open book the second time. If needed, a second test cannot be taken until a minimum of two weeks after the first test was failed. The test cannot be taken a third time without written permission from the BHA. SECTION 3. Step Three: Review 1. After successful completion of the written test, the application will be reviewed by the Judge Development Chair for completeness of all required steps. The application may be reopened one time if needed for the Judge candidate to correct any issues found during that initial review. A second application submission is considered final. 2. After final submission, the application is again reviewed by the Judge Development Chair as well as the BHA, the Judge Review Committee, and if necessary the Advisory Committee. If all preliminary criteria is met, the application is then published to the Judge and Club Admin lists for comment. This review and comment period is a very important step in the process. 3. After these reviews, candidates are informed of their final status and if they are approved to become B Level provisional Judges. Section 4. Step Four: Provisional Assignments Judge candidates moving forward from the Review process are approved as Provisional, B Level Judges. As B Level Judges, they may accept full judging assignments and judge all classes including Crazy 8s. Crazy 8s is not required. 1. All B Level Provisional Judges will be directly supervised at their first Event(s) by a Judge Mentor. The number of Events where they will need to be directly supervised will vary depending on the application strengths and how they perform under direct supervision. The Judge Mentor may also act as a resource through /phone calls. The minimum for direct supervision is one two-day Event consisting of four Trials. 2. Clubs pay B Level Provisional Judges a fixed fee. The maximum amount a B Level Provisional Judge can request for payment is 50 per run plus travel expenses. 3. B Level Provisional Judges cannot show a dog at any Event where they are judging as a Provisional. 4. B Level Provisional Judges may act as Back Up Judges at Events where they are not the Judge of Record. 5. The Provisional status under a Judge Mentor is a temporary one. It is intended only to serve as a last step and check to make sure the individual is ready, able, and confident to take on full judging assignments alone. Provisional status may last for one Event or several Events, depending on the individual. Even at this level, candidates may be either sent back to other steps or eliminated as Judge candidates, though those actions will be rare. a) Judges who progress to Provisional status must take their first Provisional judging assignment under a Judge Mentor within one calendar year of attaining B Level Provisional status. SECTION 5. Final Step: Moving to A Level Judge Status After completion of the required Provisional Assignment(s), a final judging status is then determined by the BHA and the Judge Mentor, with input from the Judge Development Chair and the Advisory Committee. With successful completion of all other steps, the Judge is moved to A status. At that point the restriction on payment and showing their own dogs is lifted and no Judge Mentor is needed. 40

43 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 3: Maintaining Judge Status SECTION 6. Judge Mentors Judge Mentors are regular A Level Judges appointed by the BHA and the Judge Development Chair to guide and assist B Level Provisional Judges in their first assignment(s). They also may be asked to step in to assist other A level Judges who are struggling with specific aspects or concepts, and/or step forward to correct critical rule misunderstandings at Events where they are not specifically assigned as a Judge Mentor. 1. Judge Mentors are paid by the BHA. The Club incurs no expense for Judge Mentors. 2. At an Event where they are mentoring a B Level Provisional Judge, Judge Mentors may show up to two of their own dogs and may also act as a Back Up Judge for other A Level Judges, but are otherwise observing and assisting their assigned Provisional Judge with issues and questions. SECTION 7. Current and Previously Approved B Level Judges Judges that were listed as B Level prior to May 2, 2016 will progress under these rules based on their experience. 1. B Level Judges who have judged one or more Events as a B Level Judge and/or who have acted as a Back Up Judge at the Senior/Master level for a minimum of two Trials will be moved to A Level as outlined in Section 5. Final Step: Moving to A Level Judge Status. 2. B Level Judges who have not yet judged at a Licensed Trial or who have not yet Back Up Judged Senior/Master for two or more trials but who have already accepted an assignment and have a written contract for that assignment will proceed as outlined in Section 4. Step Four: Provisional Assignments except that numbers 2. (pay) and 3. (showing a dog) can be waived in favor of the already agreed upon contract if it differs from these rules. That step is followed by Section 5. Final Step: Moving to A Level Judge Status. 3. B Level Judges who have not yet judged at a Licensed Trial and do not already have an assignment to judge will proceed as outlined in Section 4. Step Four: Provisional Assignments followed by Section 5. Final Step: Moving to A Level Judge Status. 4. Judges who do not wish to judge Senior or Master can continue to choose to judge lower level classes for the most part, but must judge at least one class at Senior and Master level at least once per calendar year (see Part 3: Maintaining Judge Status below). QQPart 3: Maintaining Judge Status In order to remain in good standing as an A Level, currently licensed Barn Hunt Judge the following criteria must be met (see Part 2: Becoming a Judge, page 39 for special criteria for prospective Judges). 1. Must judge all Regular Class levels as a Judge of Record at least once per calendar year. 2. Judges who have never attended a Workshop or who attended their last Workshop in the 2013 calendar year must attend a Workshop as a working participant prior to April 31, Judges who attended a Workshop as either an auditor or working participant in the 2014 calendar year must attend a Workshop as either an auditor or a working participant or complete an online course (to be developed) prior to April 31, Judges who attended a Workshop in the 2015 calendar with a working slot must attend a Workshop with a minimum of an auditing spot or complete an online course (to be developed) by December 31, Judges who attended a Workshop in 2015 with an audit spot must attend a Workshop as a working participant prior to December 31, a) After the Workshop requirements are met, active Judges will be required to attend a Workshop or complete an online course (to be developed) once every three years. Judges taking Workshops in 2016 will be required to attend at least one Workshop or complete an online course (to be developed) by December 31, Judges taking a Workshop in 2017 will be required to attend at least one Workshop by December 31, Judges must attend a Workshop in a working (vs. audit/online course) category at least once each six years. 6. Judges who fail to meet required minimum standards will be placed into Retired status until the minimum standards are met. 41

44 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 4: General Information JUDGE APPLICATION, APPROVAL, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FLOW CHART JUDGE WORKSHOP Previous Calendar Year Next Calendar Year Accrue Experience Fun Test Judge, Scribe, Rat Wrangler, Apprentice Judge Handled at least one dog to Senior (RATS) Title SUBMIT APPLICATION Pass Test Review Approved B Provisional Level Review Provisional Judge w/judge Mentor APPROVED A LEVEL JUDGE Review Maintain Status Judge each class level > 1 x year Continuing education > 1 x 3 years Working participant in Judge Workshop > 1 x 6 years QQPart 4: General Information SECTION 1. Contracts All Judges must have a written contract with the Club for which they will judge which outlines costs, fees, actions in case of emergencies, a cancellation clause and expectations. SECTION 2. Dress Code Clothes must be clean, neat, in good repair, and comfortable. Clothing should be suitable for the climate and grounds. Judges cannot wear any type of dog advertising on their clothing, including items with a specific dog s name, kennel name, etc. Small pieces of breed-specific jewelry, ties, etc. are acceptable. Judges must avoid the appearance of favoring a specific breed over other breeds. Footwear should be close toed for safety and suitable for the surface on which the Judge will be standing. SECTION 3. Mobility Judges must be physically capable of efficiently moving around the entire course area. Bending, lifting and, climbing on the bale structure to position or reposition a rat tube and/or move a bale/bales will also be necessary. Judges must be capable of being on their feet for several hours at a time. Sitting in the ring is not permitted. Section 4. Timeliness Judges are expected to arrive at the Trial a minimum of minutes prior to the published start time of the Trial in order to provide a written briefing to be posted, course maps for the course builders (if not previously provided), have time to tweak and adjust the course, and hold a general briefing along with the first class briefing. Trials should begin promptly at the designated start time listed in the premium with the first team stepping into the ring at that posted time. 42

45 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 4: General Information SECTION 5. Conflict of Interest 1. Judges cannot discuss actual courses with any potential competitors prior to the Trial, nor may a Judge practice a specific course/rat locations with someone he or she will judge within the next 3 months. It IS permissible for a Judge to, as an example, practice courses in one location that he/she will use in a different area of the country where local competitors are unlikely to attend. 2. There is no time limit constraint on Judges training with or instructing potential competitors, only on practicing specific course configurations with those potential competitors within three months of a Trial. SECTION 6. Smoking, Eating and Drinking Judges cannot drink alcoholic beverages or eat in the ring at any time. Judges may request and have in the ring or just outside the ring non-alcoholic beverages such as water, soda, etc. in a bottle that can be capped. Such beverages should be kept in an inconspicuous place. Open bottles cannot be carried while the Judge is actively judging a dog. Non-alcoholic beverages which are not in bottles (coffee, etc.) may be kept just outside the ring. Smoking, including vapor cigarette smoking, is not allowed within 50 feet of any straw bale on the Trial grounds. Clubs set any alternative smoking locations (or whether smoking is allowed at all) for their facility. SECTION 7. Dog Aggression and Breed Discrimination Judges must have an understanding of general temperament and allow for the wide variety of breeds who will participate in Barn Hunt. Judges must be very careful to not practice breed or breed-type discrimination in any way. However, dangerous dogs are not allowed in Barn Hunt and must be dealt with in accordance with the rules on dog aggression, (see the Trial Handbook and Barn Hunt Rules Part 5: Section 5. Dog Aggression, page 17). 1. A Judge must never dismiss a dog based on hearsay, but only due to directly witnessed accounts. Incidents not witnessed by the Judge should be addressed to the Trial Chair/Secretary. If a dog commits an aggressive act outside the view of the Judge and is dismissed, the Judge should be informed of the dismissal and the circumstances. 2. Judges must report any aggressive incidents they witness, either inside or outside the ring. SECTION 8. Judging Limits See Judge Limits and Scheduling in Barn Hunt Rules Part 3: Section 5. Judge Limits and Scheduling, page 8 SECTION 9. Communication Judges must communicate promptly and courteously with potential show giving Clubs, with the preferred method so a paper trail can be maintained. Even if turning down a Trial judging opportunity, Judges must do so promptly so the Club can continue their search. Failure to communicate promptly on a regular or continuing basis may be grounds for administrative action up to and including suspension/retirement as a Judge. SECTION 10. Judging Fees Judging fees for A Level Judges are between the Judge and the show giving Club/group. A per dog or per run fee may be charged, or a per Trial fee, or a combination; it is up to the Judge and the Club. One of the goals of Barn Hunt is to make it feasible and affordable for Clubs, entrants, and Judges. (See Part 2: Section 4. Step Four: Provisional Assignments, page 40 for provisional Judge fees). SECTION 11. Splitting Assignments, Load Balancing, Relief Judging 1. At large Events, a single class level may be split between two rings, Judged by two Judges of Record. a) The Primary Judge of Record for the class level designs the course which is set up in two different rings. Both Judges check the course build and ensure each course is identical. b) Competitors are sorted into blinds for each ring by the Club and cannot choose which ring to enter. 2. Judges of Record can be used for load balancing (i.e., Judge one has 50 runs assigned and Judge two has 20 runs assigned, Judge two can take part of Judge one s class for load balancing) These load balancing assignments can be announced on the day of the event. 3. For load balancing and splitting, each Judge of Record is paid by the Club for all runs they judge. The Judge of Record who designed the course is listed on the competitor s scoresheet. 4. Judges of Record can be used to Relieve other Judges of Record if the schedule allows in order to keep rings running while a Judge takes a break. A JOR being used as a Relief Judge cannot leave a ring idle in order to step into another 43

46 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 5: Back Up Judges judge s ring except in extraordinary circumstances or an emergency. The JOR acting as a Relief Judge is paid for the runs they judge. 5. Clubs who may want to use splitting, load balancing, or relief judging must announce in their premium that such scheduling may be utilized so all competitors know that they may be judged by any of the Judges of Record listed for the Event. QQPart 5: Back Up Judges SECTION 1. General Information The use of the Back Up Judge is to allow Licensed Judges to handle their own dogs during a Trial in which they are also officiating as a Judge of Record. A Back Up Judge must be used by the Judge of Record for any Trial in which he/she wishes to show his/her own dogs, even if the actual course being used is not one designed by the Judge of Record. 1. The Club decides if a Back Up Judge will be provided to the Judge(s) of Record and, if so, how many Back Up Judges will be available at the Event. 2. Back Up Judges may be either Provisional B or A Level Judges. 3. Back Up Judges can be used both to judge the dogs of the Judge of Record and, at multi-ring Trials, to step into other rings while the Judge s dogs are being judged by a different Back Up Judge. a) Back Up Judges are not to be used to judge long stretches of time. They are specifically to help the Judge of Record show their own dog. b) With the exception of the Judge of Record(s) or immediate family member of the JOR s dogs/runs, all runs judged by the Back Up Judge are credited to the original Judge of Record for the course. 4. Judges of Record earning qualifying scores under a Back Up Judge are not eligible for and cannot accept class placements or High in Class ribbons but may accept New Title or Championship ribbons if offered by the Club. 5. Each Judge of Record may show up to 2 owned or co-owned dogs using a Back Up Judge in each Trial of an Event (see Section 2. When the Back Up Judge is Used below). Judge of Record dogs may be entered in different class levels (i.e., one dog in Novice, one dog in Open). a) Other than dogs included in the two-dog-per-trial limit above, immediate family members (mother, father, sister, brother, husband/wife/partner) may not show a dog on any course designed and/or being judged by the Judge of Record, but may show dog(s) on a course designed and judged by a different Judge of Record at the same Event. b) Dogs in residence with a Judge of Record who are not owned or co-owned by that Judge (i.e., dogs in for boarding or training) aren t eligible to be judged by a Back Up Judge. The owner of those dog(s) or a different handler other than the Judge or an immediate family member of the Judge may show those dogs at the Event. 6. If showing more than one dog at a single class/level, the Judge of Record must have one holding handler for each dog and either exchange dogs then wait while the Back Up Judge re-hides the tubes, or have the other person show the dog to the Back Up Judge. 7. Back Up judging for the Judge of Record must be scheduled for a time when it will be least disruptive to the rest of the competitors at a Trial including prior to the official trial start or just after the trial has ended. 8. Back Up Judges are only paid for the runs they judge. Travel expenses, etc. are not paid to the Back Up Judge. SECTION 2. When the Back Up Judge is Used 1. If two Trials are being run concurrently on a single day, each Judges of Record for that day will need to utilize a Back Up Judge in order to show their own dog(s). If a Back Up Judge is not present, the JOR cannot show their dog(s) on that day. 2. At an Event where Trials are run consecutively (Trial 1 including all class levels is completed in its entirety before Trial two begins) with different Judge(s) of Record for each Trial, there is no need for an additional Back Up Judge. Example: If Joe and Sue are the Judges of Record for T1 in the morning and Bill and Mary are the Judges for T2 in the afternoon and if T2 does not start until T1 has concluded, Bill and/or Mary can be designated as a Back Up Judge for Joe and Sue s dogs in the morning, and Joe and/or Sue can be designated as a Back Up Judge for Bill and Mary s dogs in the afternoon. 44

47 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines QQPart 6: Course Design Part 6: Course Design SECTION 1. General Information Barn Hunt courses must be unique, handler accessible, and level-appropriate. They must be designed in such a way that the handler enters the securely fenced course and proceeds to a specific designated release area. The RATI course is a set design. RATN, RATO, RATS, RATM, and Crazy 8s are Judge-designed. 1. Each Judge should design a different course for each class level. However, courses can and should be nested. Events with two Trials per day require a different course for each class at each level (i.e., both Novice courses cannot be identical and must be different enough that the handler and dog are presented with unique challenges from course to course.) The basic tunnel structure can remain the same, but the tunnel should not be identical for both Senior and both Master courses at a two-trial-per-day Event. 2. Courses must be designed prior to the Event, and course maps for the first day of the event may be sent to the club up to 24 hours prior to the start time of the first day of the Event. The entire Instinct course may be set up the night before the Trial. The bottom/base level of any other course, including any leaner bales and the required ramp, may also be set up the night before the Trial (see Appendix A: RATI Course Construction, page 59 for the Instinct Course design). 3. On all courses, after the bottom level is built, the Judge must inspect the placement of bales and measure the width of the tunnel throughout the tunnel path. The Judge then again inspects the course after the course builders have completed the course and adjusts as necessary. While short stretches of the tunnel may be wider than 18" (i.e., an internal jog on a Senior tunnel), the majority must be 18", no more or less. 4. Judges may reuse courses in different part of the country but should make every effort to build courses that are varied and unique. A Judge should not constantly use the same 3 or 4 courses; courses should vary by Judge and Trial. Competitors should not encounter the same courses again and again; they should be faced with unique challenges at every Trial. It is natural that most Judges will develop a style over time. SECTION 2. Map and Course Design Basics 1. Maps must be clear and detailed enough for non-experienced volunteers to be able to easily understand and interpret the map for building. It is strongly suggested that the Judge have separate maps for each layer for course builders. Correct measurement and placement of the bottom layer is especially critical to successful course design. Judges may use any software they wish or may hand draw courses as long as they are clear enough that the Club course builders can use the diagrams to build the courses without direct oversight from the Judge. 2. Judges are strongly encouraged to use an anchor bale on free-standing stacks. This anchor bale is noted on the map diagram for the bottom layer and shows a specific measurement to two sides of the ring so that course builders can accurately place the stack(s). 3. Leaner bales must be clearly marked including the direction of the lean. 4. Designated fluff areas should be included. An area of fluff along a wall should not suddenly appear for a single blind but instead be consistent for all blinds. 5. Rat Wrangler locations for each course should be marked on the map (see the Rat Wrangler in Barn Hunt Part 1. Section 2. Inside Rat Wranglers, page 57). 6. Conditions on the day may necessitate course changes, but if so the change should be decided and noted on the map prior to the start of the class. 45

48 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design SAMPLE ILLUSTRATION FOR SUGGESTED BASE LAYER DETAILS 24' 21' 2' 2' Anchor RW Start Box 18' Ramp 15' 12' 9' 6' 7' Anchor 3' 4' 0 RW 3' 6' 9' 12' 15' 18' 21' 24' Each square = 1'. Ring is 24' x 24' = Fluff pile = Leaner bale (Note this course is for illustration purposes only) SECTION 3. Ramp Placement: Wooden/Constructed Ramps One wooden/constructed ramp is placed from the floor/ground to the first level of bales on each Novice, Open, Senior, Master, and Crazy 8s course. The ramp(s) should be placed in a location which will minimize tripping hazards for Judge and handlers. 1. No ramps are used in Instinct. 2. Ramps must be placed such that a dog climbing the ramp can exit onto the flat surface of a bale with all four feet (the exit cannot be blocked by a bale or bales). 3. Additional wooden/constructed ramps are optional. If used, no more than one total ramp per bale-height level is allowed. Novice and Open would have a maximum of two ramps, Senior and Master three. 4. Leaner bales do not count as a ramp. Section 4. Boards Boards are used as a safe, sturdy base for straw placed on top of tunnels and for safe step up/downs. All 18" wide tunnels must be completely covered by boards. Adjacent boards with joining edges that won t be covered by bales must either overlap or be taped to prevent a foot-pinching hazard. 1. Board corners must not protrude into open space. See Barn Hunt Rules and Regulations Part 4. Section 8. Course Specifications, Materials and Equipment, page 11 for board construction specifications. 2. Boards over tunnels may be mostly exposed, but must be anchored/weighted so that a large dog cannot easily displace the boards while navigating the tunnel. SECTION 5. Bridges Bridges are boards used to span an open area. Like any other board use, the corners of a bridge cannot protrude into open space. 46

49 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design 1. In Novice, Open, Senior, and Crazy 8s bridges cannot span an area in such a way that a handler would have to duck or step over the bridge in order to go from one place to another on the course. 2. Bridges must be as level/horizontal as possible. 3. Bridges may be used at any class level other than Novice, and at any height (i.e., either across two bales at ground level, or across two bales at a higher level as long as they do not bride a vertical gap more than one bale deep). SECTION 6. Sheer Faces and Step Up/Downs 1. Sheer faces. Sheer faces are formed when bales are stacked two or more high in such a way that there are no readily available safe step up or down areas for the dog. Dogs must be able to safely ascend/descend a stack of bales without having to turn more than 90 in any direction and without having to travel more than the length of half a bale in any direction. 2. Safe steps. A safe step is defined as a ledge not less than 6" in depth for the dog to securely place a foot. In Senior and Master in locations where bales are stacked three-high there can be no more than one 6" step/ledge per total vertical drop. If using a 6" step/ledge, the ledges above and below the 6" step/ledge must be a minimum of ½ bale wide or approximately 12" or wider. SAFE AND UNSAFE STEPS Dog can safely ascend/decend by turning 90 in either direction. Dog must travel the full length of a bale in order to safely ascend/descend Not allowed. These commonly seen configurations are allowed, singly or in groups, as long as they meet the specifications above 47

50 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design SAFE AND UNSAFE STEPS (CONTINUED) Tombstone tunnels are not allowed. To make this tunnel legal, bales would need to be placed on both sides of the central element. Two 6" steps in a row are not allowed. A 6 step is allowed. Note: Only the front sides of these elements are shown in the illustrations above. In a real ring, these elements would need safe steps on all sides. SECTION 7. Other Safety Considerations Courses must be designed to maximize safety for competitors, Judges, dogs, and rats. 1. Ramps. Any base level constructed ramps should be placed so there is no tripping hazard for handlers. 2. Fluff and gaps. There should be numerous areas on the course with loose, fluffed straw for tube hides. However, the straw should not look like a loose hay stack. Dogs need to be able to see edges where they can safely step down. Gaps are inevitable in a group of stacked bales. Narrow gaps unsuitable for tube placement should be tightly packed with straw to within 1-2" of the top so that dogs can see the gap but have a surface to step on. Wider gaps should also be clearly visible to the dog. 3. Escape hazards. Bales can be stacked no more than 1 bale high against any fenced area of the ring to prevent dogs from using a stack to jump out of the ring. Single leaner bales placed diagonally from the floor to the second level are allowed. Any flat second level of bales must be placed at least one bale-width away from the fence and a third level at least two feet away from the fence. Two-stringer leaner bales may be used as part of a single-bale height area against a fence. Facilities which only have access to three-stringer bales should not use leaner bales against a fence and should increase the horizontal distance away as the stack rises accordingly. 4. Stability. Courses must be designed to be as stable as possible. It is impossible to eliminate all rocking of bales, but all structures should be as sturdy as possible. Bales that would be very easily dislodged by an enthusiastic dog and/ or bales that rock so much that they could easily roll off a structure are prohibited. 5. Pathways. Pathways between bales must be a minimum of 12 wide with 18 preferred. 48

51 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design SECTION 8. Tunnels Illustrations in this section are assumed to have boards covering the entire length shown as a tunnel unless noted otherwise on the illustration (the exposed board and Novice tunnel illustrations). Tunnel-Specific Definitions 1. Turns. To be a legal turn, the dog must turn 90 degrees. Angles/turns greater than 90 are not allowed in tunnels. 2. Distance. The minimum distance a dog travels after a 90 turn is formed by the ends of two bales side by side. Jogs. The short end of a single bale does not constitute a 90 turn, does not count as a turn, and is called a jog. 3. Accessibility. Drop-in tunnels are not allowed. A Drop-in tunnel is constructed such that a dog would have to climb over one or more bales then down into (or climb up out of) the tunnel. Dogs of all sizes must be able to enter/ exit the tunnel without encountering a blocking bale or bales. 4. U Turns. A turn wrapping around a single bale is a 180 U turn which exceeds the 90 maximum and is not allowed. 5. Dark. In Open, Senior, Master and Crazy 8s, the tunnel must appear dark. Dark means that the dog is presented with a picture of darkness as he enters the tunnel. The opposite opening of the tunnel should not be readily visible to the dog. MINIMUM INSIDE TURN Minimum distance a dog must travel, two bales side-by-side. This is a two-turn tunnel. Basic Design 1. All tunnels consist of bales turned to their taller side, covered by boards for the entire length of the tunnel. 2. Tunnels must have a safe step-ups/downs consisting of a minimum of 6" of exposed, foam-edged board over the top of each entrance. The foam edging does not have to be permanently affixed. Tunnels must have safe step-downs on all sides. 3. Tunnels cannot contain interior blind alleys. TUNNEL ENTRANCE SHOWING EXPOSED BOARD Insulation foam on all front edges 6" minimum set back for safe stepdowns 49

52 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design Allowed and Disallowed Turns, Jogs, and Lengths by Level 1. The Novice Level tunnel is to be set as shown below. Note the outside bales providing safe steps. NOVICE TUNNEL CONFIGURATION 2. The Open Level tunnel must meet the minimum configuration shown at left below, but may be longer. Jogs are not allowed in Open tunnel configurations. OPEN TUNNEL MINIMUM AND UNALLOWED TURNS 90º turn Jog, not turn Minimum length shown. Clubs with 3-stringer bales may be able to achieve this effect with fewer bales. This is a jog, not a turn. Not dark. 50

53 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 6: Course Design 3. Jogs are allowed to be used for construction in Senior and Master, but are not considered turns. The below are examples and explanations of jogs. TUNNELS WITH JOGS Jog. No change of direction, no turn. Not allowed as a Novice tunnel, see Novice tunnel illustration. Jog with a 90 turn.may be used in Senior or Master as part of a larger structure, however this is considered only one 90 turn. Not allowed as an Open tunnel, see Open tunnel illustration. Two-turn tunnel. With only a single bale-end at one (left side in this case) entry/exit, that entry/exit becomes a jog. This tunnel is a legal two-turn tunnel for Senior and Master. 4. Other various illegal tunnel configurations are shown below CONFIGURATIONS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY OFFICIAL TUNNEL Minimum turn not met. Not dark. 180º U turn around single bale. Not dark. 180º U turn around single bale. Interior blind alley 51

54 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 7: Prior to Judging Nesting Tunnels and Senior/Master Tunnels 1. Tunnels can be nested for efficiency, so that a base level tunnel can be expanded upon or deconstructed throughout the Trial day by adding or taking away bales around a central core. 2. In some circumstances, the same tunnel may be used for both Senior and Master. The tunnel must change from Trial to Trial or level to level (i.e., with an Event with two Trials on one day, an identical tunnel cannot be used for both Senior Trials and both Master Trials; there must be at least one change of tunnel design and/or entry/exit points. QQPart 7: Prior to Judging SECTION 1. Using Course Maps For Senior, Master, and Crazy 8s classes, the Judge must have all tube locations for all blinds to be judged marked on course maps prior to the General Briefing at the start of the Event. These marked maps must be kept in a secure location and cannot be shared with any competitor at any time, up until the Judge is delegating to the Rat Wrangler(s) before and between blinds. This requires each Judge to provide one to two pre-marked map per blind. Several extra pre-marked course maps are to be included in case they are needed for re-judging. Unmarked maps must be available for Back Up Judge use if there will be a Back Up Judge. 1. This practice is encouraged for Novice and Open as well, but not required. SECTION 2. Master Rat Numbers Prior to arriving at the Event the Judge must generate a list of random numbers from 1 to 5 and mark those numbers on each blind s course map in accordance with the number decided for each blind (3, 4, or 5). It is advised to have 5 random numbers assigned to each blind map in the event of a rerun or to address blind conflicts. 2. See Part 8: Section 1. Efficiently Placing and Switching Tubes for an illustration and explanation of using maps to aid in ring efficiency. SECTION 3. General and Class Briefings 1. Written Briefings. Judges are to bring and post in a prominent position a written briefing. A sample written briefing is available on the Register under Judge Functions, Resources. This written briefing covers the basics of what is expected in the ring such as removing collars and leashes, calling rat declaratively, etc. The written briefing may be added to or altered by Judges prior to posting as long as the items listed are within the scope of the rules. 2. General Briefings. At the start of each Event day a general briefing on overall issues related to the Trial will be held. The general briefing may be given by a Trial Chair or Secretary. That briefing includes: a) An introduction (name and where the Judge is from). b) The location of the posted briefing(s). c) Identification of any new competitor mentors. d) Where the blinds are for each ring. e) Where the Bitch in Season crating area is (call for any BIS at the briefing). f) Where spectators can stand (and a reminder about double handling prohibitions to spectators). g) Request for any dogs who may need to be measured. h) Any Club instructions or announcements (lunch, vendors, parking, etc.). i) The Master Blind size (3, 4, or 5 dogs per blind) 3. Class Briefings. Prior to each level class, another briefing is held ringside. The class briefing may only be given by the judge. This class briefing covers only the following: a) Level/name of class (i.e., this is the Senior class briefing). b) Entry and exit gate locations. c) Location and number of official tunnels. d) Location of start box. e) Reminder of where the Rules document and written briefing are posted/located. 52

55 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 8: Judging and Scoring Section 4. Measuring Dogs Judges are to measure dogs if they are requested to do so, or if they feel a dog may be in the wrong height. If allowed by the Judge, a Club Official may also measure a dog. If a measurement is called for, make every effort to be calm, quiet, and non-threatening to the dog. Bring the wicket up from the rear, not over the head. Have the handler stand the dog with head in a natural position and feet four-square. The wicket should rest on the top of the shoulder, not the back of the neck or the back behind the wither. QQPart 8: Judging and Scoring Judging begins when the team enters the ring enclosure. Judging ends when the team exits the ring enclosure. SECTION 1. Efficiently Placing and Switching Tubes Quick and efficient tube placement is critical to smooth and efficient trials. 1. Rat Wranglers. As the Judge finishes judging each team and confirms the score and time with the Scribe, the Rat Wranglers handle switch outs, referring to the map as necessary. Assigning each RW a specific area of the ring will help keep things moving quickly as they can more easily keep up with just one side of the ring. The Judge to finish with the Scribe, non-verbally confirm with the RW(s) that tubes are properly placed and covered, then call the next dog. 2. Rat Location in relation to the ring. The rat holding area must be close enough for quick accessibility (see Barn Hunt Rules and Regulations Part 4: Section 6. Grounds, Blinds, and Course Enclosures, page 9) 3. Pre-marked maps. Below is a sample of a Master map for a 3-competitor blind. Litter tubes (L) and rat tubes (1-5) are marked. Each numbered Rat Tube location is kept consistent from dog to dog within the blind. The first dog in this blind has five rats, so slots 1 through 5 all have rat tubes. The second dog has a single rat. Rat 1 is placed in the number 1 slot, and litter tubes are placed in slots 2, 3, 4, and 5. The third dog has three rats. Rats are placed in slots 1, 2, and 3. Slots 4 and 5 have litter only. Using this system, the Rat 1 slot in each blind always contains a rat. Exchanges of rat for litter only happen in slots 2 through five, with rats placed by number; a two rat blind would have rats in slots 1 and 2, and a four rat blind would have rats in slots 1, 2, 3, and 4. SAMPLE MASTER RING LAYOUT WITH ALL ELEMENTS PLACED Blind Random 1 numbers 5, 1, 3 24' 21' 2' 2' Anchor 5 RW Start Box 18' 3 15' 12' Ramp 9' 6' 7' Anchor 1 L 3' 0 4 4' L 2 3' 6' 9' 12' 15' 18' 21' 24' RW L Each square = 1'. Ring is 24' x 24' = Fluff pile = Leaner bale 53

56 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 8: Judging and Scoring SECTION 2. Inadvertent Lead Outs If a handler deliberately leads out it is an NQ score. However, a handler may inadvertently lead out. An example would be when the handler called the dog and left the box, but the dog did not come with the handler. Once the handler has left the start box time starts. The handler cannot touch the dog, but can return to the dog and urge it verbally to get up and move. SECTION 3. False Starts If a handler releases the dog before the Judge has verbally released them, it is a false start. It is the Judge s option to either call the handler back or let the handler go on. If the Judge doesn t have the stopwatch ready, the Judge should call the handler back. Otherwise the handler may proceed if the Judge allows. The 20 second penalty applies in either scenario. If the handler false starts again after being called back, an NQ score is assessed. Section 4. Timing 1. The Judge is required to time all runs with a hand-held stopwatch. At the end of each run the Judge shows or hands the stopwatch to the Scribe or writes the time on the scoresheet. The Judge never announces the time, as the competitor is not allowed to know his/her time until the end of the class (see Special Master B Class Rules). Optimally two hand-held stopwatches are used, with the Judge handing a just used stopwatch to the Scribe and picking up a reset stopwatch to use with the next dog. The Scribe writes down the time then resets this stopwatch for the next competitor. a) All times are to be recorded to the nearest 100th of a second. 2. An outside overtime or back up timer is allowed. This is a digital kitchen or countdown timer which has an audible ding or beep. The overtime timer is never used as the official timer. Rather, it is set for 5 seconds over the standard course time (i.e., 2:05 for Novice) and is activated by the Scribe or an optional assistant Scribe after each team leaves the start box. The audible alarm/beep will signal that the team is over time as a fail-safe for Judges who forget to check their stopwatch. SECTION 5. Calls to the Scribe Judges do not Scribe in the ring but call the various achieved elements to the Scribe. The Scribe does not instruct the Judge that a particular element has been completed, though the Judge may ask the Scribe did you hear me say tunnel, etc. 1. The following calls are directed to the Scribe. Tunnel. Climb. Rat 1, etc. Each rat call has a number attached at all levels. So in Novice, it is Rat 1. In Master, even if there are five rats, the Judge still calls Rat End of class. It is suggested that Judges avoid the use of the word time when a competitor has exceeded time limits for the class. Something that does not rhyme with the word Climb is preferred; I m sorry, works well. 3. Speaking audibly. Judges must speak the elements clearly and loudly so that not only the Scribe but the competitor can hear their call. 4. Hand signals. In noisy conditions and/or if the Judge wishes, they may use hand signals as well as voice to indicate the various elements. If using hand signals the Judge must review those signals with the Scribe prior to the start of the class. SECTION 6. Coaching/Prompting Trials are a test of the knowledge, skills, and ability of the competitor and dog. The Judge welcomes the team to the ring, verbally releases them (preferably with Go when ready, ) makes calls when elements are complete, then marks the end of the run with congratulations or condolences. The Judge does not coach the team in any way (i.e., you still need to do the tunnel, you still have two rats to find. ) If the handler directly asks the Judge if they have found all rats, the Judge must stay silent. The judge does not offer unsolicited training or handling advice to the handler. If the handler requests advice from the judge, the judge may meet with the handler outside the ring when not judging. 54

57 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 9: Re-Judging SECTION 7. Accidental Hinting Judges sometimes inadvertently hint at elements and locations. To avoid inadvertently giving away elements, Judges should: 1. Keep voice inflections steady and the same through the course. 2. Keep the team in sight even when the team is hunting in an area without rats or has found all rats in Master. 3. Avoid smiling or frowning as the team nears or just before they call a rat tube. SECTION 8. When to Dismiss from the Ring 1. If a handler or dog takes any action in the ring which would result in that handler or dog written up for misconduct (dog aggression, handler aggression or unsportsmanlike behavior), the team is instantly dismissed from the ring. 2. If the handler curses in the ring or the dog eliminates in the ring they are dismissed immediately. 3. If the Judge notices a collar on the dog the team should be stopped and dismissed (safety hazard) but may be shown a rat for praise and reward. 4. In some situations, Judges will witness an action by the competitor which will cause that handler to have a non-qualifying score but it is not grounds for instant dismissal. Some examples would be bowling the dog, handler touching or stepping over a bale when not allowed, incorrect leash, etc. When this occurs, the team can continue to hunt, and the Judge informs the team of the non-qualifying score at the end of the run. If the team gets a non-qualifying score for another reason (calling the wrong rat, time, etc.) the team can be shown the rat nearest the dog for praise and reward prior to exiting the ring. The Judge must still inform the team that they would have received a non-qualifying score, and why. SECTION 9. Confirming Scores 1. After each run, the Judge reviews the scoresheet and marks if the dog passed or failed then initials the sheet. The Judge shows or gives the timer to the Scribe or, alternately, records the time then returns to the course to judge the next dog. 2. The Judge cannot turn his/her back on an exiting team to go to the Scribe. QQPart 9: Re-Judging SECTION 1. Re-judging, General 1. If a dog has failed on a portion of the course because of unusual circumstances in which the dog/handler are not at fault, or if the Judge realizes there was an error on the Judge s part, the team must be re-judged. a) Unusual circumstances could include things like an unexpected extremely loud noise that badly startles a dog, a ring gate falling, etc. 2. If a dog has Qualified on a course but there has been a judge error (such as both tubes at ground level in Open, etc.) the handler may choose whether to be re-judged or to accept maximum course time and receive a qualifying score. 3. Videotape evidence is not acceptable for use as a way to demand a dog be re-judged. SECTION 2. Re-judging, Fallen Bales and Split Tunnels 1. If a dog has dislodged a bale from an upper level and it falls in such a way that it blocks a tunnel entrance, and that dog has not yet done the tunnel nor is there time for a Rat Wrangler to step in and move the bale, the dog must be re-judged. a) Fallen bales which do not block a tunnel are to be left in place for the duration of the run unless they pose a safety hazard by completely blocking a walkway and cannot be quickly shoved out of the way by a Rat Wrangler. In the case of a fallen bale that blocks a walkway and cannot be moved, the dog must be re-judged. 2. If a dog chooses to exit the tunnel in an unorthodox way and by doing so causes the tunnel to be unsafe (board falls into the tunnel, etc.) the dog is assessed a non-qualifying score and is dismissed from the ring for safety, but can be taken to the rat nearest the dog for praise and reward and can show again in the next class. 3. If a dog chooses to exit the tunnel in an unorthodox way and the structure of the tunnel remains intact, the bales are left as they are and the dog must correctly navigate the tunnel to receive a qualifying score. 55

58 Barn Hunt Judge Guidelines Part 9: Re-Judging SECTION 3. Re-judging, Timer Failures 1. If there is a timer failure and the handler has not yet completed any of the course elements, the handler should be stopped and restarted immediately. 2. If there is a timer failure and the handler has successfully completed some but not all of the course elements, the handler should be stopped and allowed to run again in a later blind. 3. If there is a timer failure and the handler has successfully completed all elements before the timer malfunction was discovered, the Judge should ask if the team wants to re-run for time or accept maximum course time for a qualifying score. If re-running, the handler must be in a later blind. The dog must complete all elements including finding all rats on the re-run. If the team does not successfully complete the course on the second run, they are NQd. 4. Teams who have been NQd due to faults on any part of the course are not eligible for re-judging based on timer failure. 56

59 The Rat Wrangler in Barn Hunt Part 1: Overview The Rat Wrangler in Barn Hunt QQPart 1: Overview The Rat Wrangler plays a very special role in the sport of Barn Hunt. That role is to ensure the humane treatment and safety of all rats being used at an Event, to help the Judge place and recover tubes, quickly and safely to and from the ring during judging. The basic role of the Rat Wrangler is covered in the Barn Hunt Rules and Regulations Part 2Section 9. Event Officials, page 12, Part 6: Rat Care and Safety, page 20, and Part 10: Safely Removing the Rat Tube(s), page 27. A supplementary flyer The Barn Hunt Rat Wrangler Guide is available on the Barn Hunt website. All Rat Wranglers should read and understand those sections of the rules before agreeing to the position of Rat Wrangler. The below information is included in the rules to help the Rat Wranglers do their job as efficiently as possible. SECTION 1. Caring for Rats Those who have agreed to be Rat Wrangler must hold the welfare of the rats above all other considerations. The Chief RW will be ultimately in charge, but all RW assigned to a Trial should actively participate in checking to make sure all rats are unstressed. All RWs must be willing and able to make decisions on when the rats need rest. 1. Decisions on when rats need to be traded out of the tubes can be made after any run and do not have to wait until an entire blind or class is complete. 2. Rats are more cold tolerant than heat tolerant. On hotter days the RW must be especially vigilant about making sure rats stay comfortable. Litter moisture should be monitored to make sure the rats are not getting too damp or humidity is not building up too quickly in the tube. Except in the most extreme cold, rats will be comfortable in their tubes with litter and tucked into the straw. However their safe housing area must be adequately heated. SECTION 2. Inside Rat Wranglers 1. The inside RW(s) has a predetermined waiting location. Unless otherwise instructed by the judge in special circumstances, the RW should stand in the same place for an entire class, no matter where the rat tubes are hidden. Except for unusual circumstances, the RW should not be traded out in the middle of a single blind. 2. Arms should be folded or tucked behind the RW s back when a team is actively working the course so the dog is not attracted to the RW s hands. Avoid putting hands in pockets as many dogs think that means they will get a food treat. 3. The RW must remain still until the rat has been correctly called or until called by the Judge or handler. At that time the RW immediately and quickly moves to a place where, if needed, they can safely remove the rat tube. a) The RW never runs in the ring, but must be capable of walking quickly. b) The RW never reaches over a handler or reaches in and grab a tube before the handler has finished praising their dog or before the dog is secure. c) The RW never touches a tube in the straw unless the handler has the dog completely physically restrained with the dog s teeth at least 2 feet from the tube. If the handler has not restrained a dog at an adequate distance, the RW can request the handler move the dog back. d) The handler may pick up the tube. The RW only takes the tube from the handler if the dog s teeth are at least 2' away from the tube. If the dog is leaping up or otherwise interfering, the RW simply waits for the handler to control the dog. 4. Once the RW has the tube the RW should smoothly turn away and proceed directly to the outside RW or to anyone willing to take the tube and hand it to the outside RW. Be sure the outside RW has a firm hold of the tube before releasing it. 5. If the dog has followed the RW, the RW should remain still and turned away until the dog is redirected, at which time the RW returns to his/her designated station and waits as described above. 6. If there are two RW working in the ring, the RW and/or Judge should decide which tubes each RW is responsible for when switching tubes for each blind. 7. The inside RW is responsible for replacing tubes between blinds and should confirm placement with the Judge after the Judge has signed off on the scoresheet of the previous dog. The Judge can also replace tubes, but the RW does not wait for the Judge at the end of each run but instead immediately begins to reset the tubes and check that all tubes are covered. 57

60 The Rat Wrangler in Barn Hunt Part 1: Overview SECTION 3. Outside Rat Wranglers 1. There should be at least one outside RW for each inside RW. 2. The outside RW(s) must act as an RW first even if doing more than one job. That means keeping an eye on the ring and being ready to take a rat tube at any time. 3. The outside RW must never change his/her position on the outside of the ring based on where the live rat tube is but, like the inside RW, stays in one place or area during all runs in a class or, if operating in another position as well, returning to the same place during all runs. 4. Unlike the inside RW the outside RW can move around and does not have to be completely stationary, but should stay within a few feet of a specific area so the inside RW can find him/her easily. 5. Once the inside RW begins to move to get a rat tube, the outside RW should quickly move to the nearest location in which to receive the tube. If the outside RW can t get there and the tube is handed off to someone else, the outside RW should remove the tube from the volunteer as soon as possible. 6. Once removed from the ring, tubes must be placed in a safe location at a distance in accordance with the rules. 7. At the end of each run, the outside RW must very quickly return any tubes to the inside RW to replace. 8. Be sure when returning any tubes to the ring that the dog exiting the ring cannot interfere with the outside RW or the tube(s). Section 4. Rat Wrangling in Master Master class has special challenges for Rat Wranglers, as rats are changed out every competitor (see Barn Hunt Rules and Regulations Part 12: Section 6. Master Barn Hunt (RATM, RATMX, RATCH, RATCHX), page 34 and Judge Guidelines Part 8: Section 1. Efficiently Placing and Switching Tubes, page 53. For Master, there a total of 12 tubes staged and ready to go, 7 with litter, 5 with rats. The extra four tubes not currently in use in the ring must be located at a legal distance, stored in such as way that rat versus litter tube numbers cannot be determined by competitors or spectators approaching the ring. An extra Outside RW should be located at that rat staging area at all times. The object is to quickly trade out rat and litter tubes. 58

61 Appendices APPENDICES QQAppendix A: RATI Course Construction Appendix A RATI Course Construction Guidelines Appendix A: RATI Course Construction View from above Back side of course can be bales or fencing. All should be enclosed in additional secure fencing. Bales laid on shorter sides Bales laid on taller sides 3 tubes, placed on ground in such a way that dog entering area can see them as soon as he clears the center bale. 16" 18" 16" 18" Rat tubes 2 feet Instinct Cradle Board underlay with foam padding on ends Leave enough room after the tunnel for a large dog to stand up. Entrance Start Box directly in front of tunnel entrance 59

62 Appendices Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction QQAppendix B: Rat Tube Construction Rat tubes are required to be made to these specifications. Clubs who have tubes made to previous specifications may continue to use those tubes until they need replacement. List of materials: (1) 10" section of solid core schedule 40 PVC pipe, 4" diameter (1) 4" PVC clean-out snap-in drain cap (1) 4" female adapter (1) 4" PVC clean-out plug Clear PVC cement Two types of paint (recommended Rust-Oleum camouflage spray light color plus flat yellow) Instructions: 1. Cement drain cap into pipe 2. Drill 7 columns of 5/16" air holes 2" apart in pipe (7 columns spaced 2 3/32" apart) 3. Check drilled holes for sharp edges and file down if necessary. 4. Put female adapter on the pipe. Drill 7 holes lined up with the columns 5. Drill 4 holes in the clean out plug 6. Screw clean out plug into the female adapter 7. Wipe down and blow off the outside of the rat tube before painting. 8. Painted tubes should sit for several days before being used with rats. ½" 2" 2" 2" 1" 2 3 /32" Clean Out Plug Female Adapter 10" by 4" Schedule 40 Solid Core PVC Pipe Snap-In Drain Clean Out Plug Top View Preferred Snap In Drain Allowed Snap In Drain The instructions above describe a legal rat tube. Metal fittings, black ABS pipe, etc. are not allowed. Paints should be colors that blend well with straw, dark colors discouraged. Tubes which were legal in 2013 but do not meet the above specifications must be phased out by December 31, Photos of finished, unpainted tube next page. 60

63 Appendices Appendix B: Rat Tube Construction Note: These photos are of an unpainted tube. Tubes must be painted prior ot use. clean out drain cap side view snap in drain; this is the preferred type. interior view 61

64 Appendices QQAppendix C: Lattice Fencing Photos Appendix C: Lattice Fencing Photos Lattice fencing is made in 4' and 8' sections. The cross legs are not glued, so they can be removed for corners and gates. They can be tied together with zip strips, bungies, etc. Not shown in these photos; legs on interior side of ring can be shortened or removed to prevent a tripping hazard. 62